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30 U.S.C. § 1256 — Permits

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 1256 — Permits

**(a) Persons engaged in surface coal mining within State; time limit; exception** No later than eight months from the date on which a State program is approved by the Secretary, pursuant to [section 1253 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1253&num=0&edition=prelim), or no later than eight months from the date on which the Secretary has promulgated a Federal program for a State not having a State program pursuant to [section 1254 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1254&num=0&edition=prelim), no person shall engage in or carry out on lands within a State any surface coal mining operations unless such person has first obtained a permit issued by such State pursuant to an approved State program or by the Secretary pursuant to a Federal program; except a person conducting surface coal mining operations under a permit from the State regulatory authority, issued in accordance with the provisions of [section 1252 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1252&num=0&edition=prelim), may conduct such operations beyond such period if an application for a permit has been filed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, but the initial administrative decision has not been rendered. **(b) Term** All permits issued pursuant to the requirements of this chapter shall be issued for a term not to exceed five years: Provided, That if the applicant demonstrates that a specified longer term is reasonably needed to allow the applicant to obtain necessary financing for equipment and the opening of the operation and if the application is full and complete for such specified longer term, the regulatory authority may grant a per

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Source location: Title 30, Chapter 25, § 1256; chapter-025-surface-mining-control-and-reclamation.md

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**(a) Persons engaged in surface coal mining within State; time limit; exception** No later than eight months from the date on which a State program is approved by the Secretary, pursuant to [section 1253 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1253&num=0&edition=prelim), or no later than eight months from the date on which the Secretary has promulgated a Federal program for a State not having a State program pursuant to [section 1254 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1254&num=0&edition=prelim), no person shall engage in or carry out on lands within a State any surface coal mining operations unless such person has first obtained a permit issued by such State pursuant to an approved State program or by the Secretary pursuant to a Federal program; except a person conducting surface coal mining operations under a permit from the State regulatory authority, issued in accordance with the provisions of [section 1252 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1252&num=0&edition=prelim), may conduct such operations beyond such period if an application for a permit has been filed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, but the initial administrative decision has not been rendered. **(b) Term** All permits issued pursuant to the requirements of this chapter shall be issued for a term not to exceed five years: Provided, That if the applicant demonstrates that a specified longer term is reasonably needed to allow the applicant to obtain necessary financing for equipment and the opening of the operation and if the application is full and complete for such specified longer term, the regulatory authority may grant a permit for such longer term. A successor in interest to a permittee who applies for a new permit within thirty days of succeeding to such interest and who is able to obtain the bond coverage of the original permittee may continue surface coal mining and reclamation operations according to the approved mining and reclamation plan of the original permittee until such successor’s application is granted or denied. **(c) Termination** A permit shall terminate if the permittee has not commenced the surface coal mining operations covered by such permit within three years of the issuance of the permit: Provided, That the regulatory authority may grant reasonable extensions of time upon a showing that such extensions are necessary by reason of litigation precluding such commencement or threatening substantial economic loss to the permittee, or by reason of conditions beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the permittee: Provided further, That in the case of a coal lease issued under the Federal Mineral Leasing Act, as amended [[30 U.S.C. 181](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section181&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.], extensions of time may not extend beyond the period allowed for diligent development in accordance with section 7 of that Act [[30 U.S.C. 207](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section207&num=0&edition=prelim)]: Provided further, That with respect to coal to be mined for use in a synthetic fuel facility or specific major electric generating facility, the permittee shall be deemed to have commenced surface mining operations at such time as the construction of the synthetic fuel or generating facility is initiated. **(d) Renewal** (1) Any valid permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall carry with it the right of successive renewal upon expiration with respect to areas within the boundaries of the existing permit. The holders of the permit may apply for renewal and such renewal shall be issued (provided that on application for renewal the burden shall be on the opponents of renewal), subsequent to fulfillment of the public notice requirements of sections 1263 and 1264 of this title unless it is established that and written findings by the regulatory authority are made that— (A) the terms and conditions of the existing permit are not being satisfactorily met; (B) the present surface coal mining and reclamation operation is not in compliance with the environmental protection standards of this chapter and the approved State plan or Federal program pursuant to this chapter; or (C) the renewal requested substantially jeopardizes the operator’s continuing responsibility on existing permit areas; (D) the operator has not provided evidence that the performance bond in effect for said operation will continue in full force and effect for any renewal requested in such application as well as any additional bond the regulatory authority might require pursuant to [section 1259 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1259&num=0&edition=prelim); or (E) any additional revised or updated information required by the regulatory authority has not been provided. Prior to the approval of any renewal of permit the regulatory authority shall provide notice to the appropriate public authorities. (2) If an application for renewal of a valid permit includes a proposal to extend the mining operation beyond the boundaries authorized in the existing permit, the portion of the application for renewal of a valid permit which addresses any new land areas shall be subject to the full standards applicable to new applications under this chapter: Provided, however, That if the surface coal mining operations authorized by a permit issued pursuant to this chapter were not subject to the standards contained in section 1260(b)(5)(A) and (B) of this title by reason of complying with the proviso of [section 1260(b)(5) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1260/b/5&num=0&edition=prelim), then the portion of the application for renewal of the permit which addresses any new land areas previously identified in the reclamation plan submitted pursuant to [section 1258 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1258&num=0&edition=prelim) shall not be subject to the standards contained in section 1260(b)(5)(A) and (B) of this title. (3) Any permit renewal shall be for a term not to exceed the period of the original permit established by this chapter. Application for permit renewal shall be made at least one hundred and twenty days prior to the expiration of the valid permit.

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 1258 — Reclamation plan requirements

**(a)** Each reclamation plan submitted as part of a permit application pursuant to any approved State program or a Federal program under the provisions of this chapter shall include, in the degree of detail necessary to demonstrate that reclamation required by the State or Federal program can be accomplished, a statement of: (1) the identification of the lands subject to surface coal mining operations over the estimated life of those operations and the size, sequence, and timing of the subareas for which it is anticipated that individual permits for mining will be sought; (2) the condition of the land to be covered by the permit prior to any mining including: (A) the uses existing at the time of the application, and if the land has a history of previous mining, the uses which preceded any mining; and (B) the capability of the land prior to any mining to support a variety of uses giving consideration to soil and foundation characteristics, topography, and vegetative cover, and, if applicable, a soil survey prepared pursuant to [section 1257(b)(16) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1257/b/16&num=0&edition=prelim); and (C) the productivity of the land prior to mining, including appropriate classification as prime farm lands, as well as the average yield of food, fiber, forage, or wood products from such lands obtained under high levels of management; (3) the use which is proposed to be made of the land following reclamation, including a discussion of the utility and capacity of the reclaimed land to support a variety of alternative uses and the relationship of such use to existing land use policies and plans, and the comments of any owner of the surface, State and local governments or agencies thereof wh

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 1258

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 207 — Conditions of lease

**(a) Term of lease; annual rentals; royalties; readjustment of conditions** A coal lease shall be for a term of twenty years and for so long thereafter as coal is produced annually in commercial quantities from that lease. Any lease which is not producing in commercial quantities at the end of ten years shall be terminated. The Secretary shall by regulation prescribe annual rentals on leases. A lease shall require payment of a royalty in such amount as the Secretary shall determine of not less than 12½ percent, except such amount shall be not more than 7 percent during the period that begins on July 4, 2025, and ends September 30, 2034, of the value of coal as defined by regulation, except the Secretary may determine a lesser amount in the case of coal recovered by underground mining operations. The lease shall include such other terms and conditions as the Secretary shall determine. Such rentals and royalties and other terms and conditions of the lease will be subject to readjustment at the end of its primary term of twenty years and at the end of each ten-year period thereafter if the lease is extended. **(b) Diligent development and continued operation; suspension of condition on payment of advance royalties** (1) Each lease shall be subject to the conditions of diligent development and continued operation of the mine or mines, except where operations under the lease are interrupted by strikes, the elements, or casualties not attributable to the lessee. (2) The Secretary of the Interior, upon determining that the public interest will be served thereby, may suspend the condition of continued operation upon the payment of advance royalties. (3) Advance royalties described in paragraph (2) shall be no less than the production royalty which would otherwise be paid a

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 207

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 1252 — Initial regulatory procedures

**(a) State regulation** No person shall open or develop any new or previously mined or abandoned site for surface coal mining operations on lands on which such operations are regulated by a State unless such person has obtained a permit from the State’s regulatory authority. **(b) Interim standards** All surface coal mining operations on lands on which such operations are regulated by a State which commence operations pursuant to a permit issued on or after six months from August 3, 1977, shall comply, and such permits shall contain terms requiring compliance with, the provisions set out in subsection (c) of this section. Prior to final disapproval of a State program or prior to promulgation of a Federal program or a Federal lands program pursuant to this chapter, a State may issue such permits. **(c) Full compliance with environmental protection performance standards** On and after nine months from August 3, 1977, all surface coal mining operations on lands on which such operations are regulated by a State shall comply with the provisions of subsections (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(5), (b)(10), (b)(13), (b)(15), (b)(19), and (d) of [section 1265 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1265&num=0&edition=prelim) or, where a surface coal mining operation will remove an entire coal seam or seams running through the upper fraction of a mountain, ridge, or hill by removing all of the overburden and creating a level plateau or a gently rolling contour with no highwalls remaining, such operation shall comply with the requirements of section 1265(c)(4) and (5) of this title without regard to the requirements of section 1265(b)(3) or (d)(2) and (3) of this title, with respect to lands from which overburden and the coal seam being min

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 1252

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 1254 — Federal programs

**(a) Promulgation and implementation by Secretary for State** The Secretary shall prepare and, subject to the provisions of this section, promulgate and implement a Federal program for a State no later than thirty-four months after August 3, 1977, if such State— (1) fails to submit a State program covering surface coal mining and reclamation operations by the end of the eighteen-month period beginning on August 3, 1977; (2) fails to resubmit an acceptable State program within sixty days of disapproval of a proposed State program: Provided, That the Secretary shall not implement a Federal program prior to the expiration of the initial period allowed for submission of a State program as provided for in clause (1) of this subsection; or (3) fails to implement, enforce, or maintain its approved State program as provided for in this chapter. If State compliance with clause (1) of this subsection requires an act of the State legislature, the Secretary may extend the period of submission of a State program up to an additional six months. Promulgation and implementation of a Federal program vests the Secretary with exclusive jurisdiction for the regulation and control of surface coal mining and reclamation operations taking place on lands within any State not in compliance with this chapter. After promulgation and implementation of a Federal program the Secretary shall be the regulatory authority. If a Federal program is implemented for a State, section 1272(a), (c), and (d) of this title shall not apply for a period of one year following the date of such implementation. In promulgating and implementing a Federal program for a particular State the Secretary shall take into consideration the nature of that State’s terrain, climate, biological, chemical, and other relevant ph

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 1259 — Performance bonds

**(a) Filing with regulatory authority; scope; number and amount** After a surface coal mining and reclamation permit application has been approved but before such a permit is issued, the applicant shall file with the regulatory authority, on a form prescribed and furnished by the regulatory authority, a bond for performance payable, as appropriate, to the United States or to the State, and conditional upon faithful performance of all the requirements of this chapter and the permit. The bond shall cover that area of land within the permit area upon which the operator will initiate and conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations within the initial term of the permit. As succeeding increments of surface coal mining and reclamation operations are to be initiated and conducted within the permit area, the permittee shall file with the regulatory authority an additional bond or bonds to cover such increments in accordance with this section. The amount of the bond required for each bonded area shall depend upon the reclamation requirements of the approved permit; shall reflect the probable difficulty of reclamation giving consideration to such factors as topography, geology of the site, hydrology, and revegetation potential, and shall be determined by the regulatory authority. The amount of the bond shall be sufficient to assure the completion of the reclamation plan if the work had to be performed by the regulatory authority in the event of forfeiture and in no case shall the bond for the entire area under one permit be less than $10,000. **(b) Liability period; execution** Liability under the bond shall be for the duration of the surface coal mining and reclamation operation and for a period coincident with operator’s responsibility for revegetation requirements

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 1259

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 181 — Lands subject to disposition; persons entitled to benefits; reciprocal privileges; helium rights reserved

Deposits of coal, phosphate, sodium, potassium, oil, oil shale, gilsonite (including all vein-type solid hydrocarbons), or gas, and lands containing such deposits owned by the United States, including those in national forests, but excluding lands acquired under the Appalachian Forest Act, approved March 1, 1911 (36 Stat. 961), and those in incorporated cities, towns, and villages and in national parks and monuments, those acquired under other Acts subsequent to February 25, 1920, and lands within the naval petroleum and oil-shale reserves, except as hereinafter provided, shall be subject to disposition in the form and manner provided by this chapter to citizens of the United States, or to associations of such citizens, or to any corporation organized under the laws of the United States, or of any State or Territory thereof, or in the case of coal, oil, oil shale, or gas, to municipalities. Citizens of another country, the laws, customs, or regulations of which deny similar or like privileges to citizens or corporations of this country, shall not by stock ownership, stock holding, or stock control, own any interest in any lease acquired under the provisions of this chapter.

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 1253 — State programs

**(a) Regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations; submittal to Secretary; time limit; demonstration of effectiveness** Each State in which there are or may be conducted surface coal mining operations on non-Federal lands, and which wishes to assume exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations, except as provided in sections 1271 and 1273 of this title and subchapter IV of this chapter, shall submit to the Secretary, by the end of the eighteenth-month 11 So in original. period beginning on August 3, 1977, a State program which demonstrates that such State has the capability of carrying out the provisions of this chapter and meeting its purposes through— (1) a State law which provides for the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; (2) a State law which provides sanctions for violations of State laws, regulations, or conditions of permits concerning surface coal mining and reclamation operations, which sanctions shall meet the minimum requirements of this chapter, including civil and criminal actions, forfeiture of bonds, suspensions, revocations, and withholding of permits, and the issuance of cease-and-desist orders by the State regulatory authority or its inspectors; (3) a State regulatory authority with sufficient administrative and technical personnel, and sufficient funding to enable the State to regulate surface coal mining and reclamation operations in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; (4) a State law which provides for the effective implementations,1 maintenance, and enforcement of a permit system, meeting the requirements of this subchapter for the regulations 1 of surface coal mining and reclamation oper

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 1232 — Reclamation fee

**(a) Payment; rate** All operators of coal mining operations subject to the provisions of this chapter shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, for deposit in the fund, a reclamation fee of 22.4 cents per ton of coal produced by surface coal mining and 9.6 cents per ton of coal produced by underground mining or 10 per centum of the value of the coal at the mine, as determined by the Secretary, whichever is less, except that the reclamation fee for lignite coal shall be at a rate of 2 per centum of the value of the coal at the mine, or 6.4 cents per ton, whichever is less. **(b) Due date** Such fee shall be paid no later than thirty days after the end of each calendar quarter beginning with the first calendar quarter occurring after August 3, 1977, and ending September 30, 2034. **(c) Submission of statement** Together with such reclamation fee, all operators of coal mine operations shall submit a statement of the amount of coal produced during the calendar quarter, the method of coal removal and the type of coal, the accuracy of which shall be sworn to by the operator and notarized. Such statement shall include an identification of the permittee of the surface coal mining operation, any operator in addition to the permittee, the owner of the coal, the preparation plant, tripple,11 So in original. Probably should be “tipple,”. or loading point for the coal, and the person purchasing the coal from the operator. The report shall also specify the number of the permit required under [section 1256 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1256&num=0&edition=prelim) and the mine safety and health identification number. Each quarterly report shall contain a notification of any changes in the information required by this sub

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 1256 — Permits

Page 276 TITLE 30—MINERAL LANDS AND MINING § 1255 (b) Federal enforcement of State program In the event that a State has a State program for surface coal mining, and is not enforcing any part of such program, the Secretary may pro- vide for the Federal enforcement, under the pro- visions of section 1271 of this title, of that part of the State program not being enforced by such State. (c) Notice and hearing Prior to promulgation and implementation of any proposed Federal program, the Secretary shall give adequate public notice and hold a pub- lic hearing in the affected State. (d) Review of permits Permits issued pursuant to a previously ap- proved State program shall be valid but review- able under a Federal program. Immediately fol- lowing promulgation of a Federal program, the Secretary shall undertake to review such per- mits to determine that the requirements of this chapter are not violated. If the Secretary deter- mines any permit to have been granted contrary to the requirements of this chapter, he shall so advise the permittee and provide him an oppor- tunity for hearing and a reasonable opportunity for submission of a new application and reason- able time, within a time limit prescribed in reg- ulations promulgated pursuant to section 1251(b) of this title, to conform ongoing surface mining and reclamation operations to the requirements of the Federal program. (e) Submission of State program after implemen- tation of Federal program A State which has failed to obtain the ap- proval of a State program prior to implementa- tion of a Federal program may submit a State program at any time after such implementation. Upon the submission of such a program, the Sec- retary shall follow the procedures set forth in section 1253(b) of this title a

Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 30 U.S.C. § 1256

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

30 U.S.C. § 181 — Lands subject to disposition; persons enti-

Page 35 TITLE 30—MINERAL LANDS AND MINING § 181 Sec. SUBCHAPTER V—OIL SHALE 241. Leases of lands. 242. Oil shale claims. SUBCHAPTER VI—ALASKA OIL PROVISO 251. Leases to claimants of withdrawn lands; terms and conditions; acreage; annual rent- als and royalties; fraud of claimants. SUBCHAPTER VII—SODIUM 261. Prospecting permits; lands included; acreage. 262. Leases to permittees; survey of lands; royal- ties and annual rentals. 263. Permits to use or lease of nonmineral lands for camp sites, and other purposes; annual rentals; acreage. SUBCHAPTER VIII—SULPHUR 271. Prospecting permits; lands included; acreage. 272. Leases to permittees; privileges extended to oil and gas permittees. 273. Lease of lands not covered by permits or leases; acreage; rental. 274. Lands containing coal or other minerals. 275. Laws applicable. 276. Application of subchapter to Louisiana and New Mexico only. SUBCHAPTER IX—POTASH 281. Prospecting permits for chlorides, sulphates, carbonates, borates, silicates, or nitrates of potassium; authorization; acreage; lands af- fected. 282. Leases to permittees of lands showing valu- able deposits; royalty. 283. Lands containing valuable deposits not cov- ered by permits or leases; authority to lease; acreage; conditions; renewals; exemp- tions from rentals and royalties; suspension of operations. 284. Lands containing coal or other minerals in addition to potassium deposits; issuance of prospecting permits and leases; covenants in potassium leases. 285. Laws applicable. 286. Disposition of royalties and rents from potas- sium leases. 287. Extension of prospecting permits. SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS § 181. Lands subject to disposition; persons enti- tled to benefits; reciprocal privileges; heliu

Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 30 U.S.C. § 181

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