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30 U.S.C. § 1253 — State programs

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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Stable record: federal_law:legal_authorities:record_usc_febae8b3b74418f74843e489
Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-30/section-1253-state-programs--1a4f125ce8.md
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Source location: Title 30, Chapter 25, § 1253; chapter-025-surface-mining-control-and-reclamation.md

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**(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 operations for coal on lands within the State; (5) establishment of a process for the designation of areas as unsuitable for surface coal mining in accordance with [section 1272 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1272&num=0&edition=prelim) provided that the designation of Federal lands unsuitable for mining shall be performed exclusively by the Secretary after consultation with the State; and 1 (6) establishment for the purposes of avoiding duplication, of a process for coordinating the review and issuance of permits for surface coal mining and reclamation operations with any other Federal or State permit process applicable to the proposed operations; and (7) rules and regulations consistent with regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to this chapter. **(b) Approval of program** The Secretary shall not approve any State program submitted under this section until he has— (1) solicited and publicly disclosed the views of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the heads of other Federal agencies concerned with or having special expertise pertinent to the proposed State program; (2) obtained the written concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to those aspects of a State program which relate to air or water quality standards promulgated under the authority of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended [[33 U.S.C. 1251](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title33-section1251&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.], and the Clean Air Act, as amended [[42 U.S.C. 7401](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section7401&num=0&edition=prelim) et seq.]; (3) held at least one public hearing on the State program within the State; and (4) found that the State has the legal authority and qualified personnel necessary for the enforcement of the environmental protection standards. The Secretary shall approve or disapprove a State program, in whole or in part, within six full calendar months after the date such State program was submitted to him. **(c) Notice of disapproval** If the Secretary disapproves any proposed State program in whole or in part, he shall notify the State in writing of his decision and set forth in detail the reasons therefor. The State shall have sixty days in which to resubmit a revised State program or portion thereof. The Secretary shall approve or disapprove the resubmitted State program or portion thereof within sixty days from the date of resubmission. **(d) Inability of State to take action** For the purposes of this section and [section 1254 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1254&num=0&edition=prelim), the inability of a State to take any action the purpose of which is to prepare, submit or enforce a State program, or any portion thereof, because the action is enjoined by the issuance of an injunction by any court of competent jurisdiction shall not result in a loss of eligibility for financial assistance under subchapters IV and VII of this chapter or in the imposition of a Federal program. Regulation of the surface coal mining and reclamation operations covered or to be covered by the State program subject to the injunction shall be conducted by the State pursuant to [section 1252 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1252&num=0&edition=prelim), until such time as the injunction terminates or for one year, whichever is shorter, at which time the requirements of this section and [section 1254 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1254&num=0&edition=prelim) shall again be fully applicable.

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

33 U.S.C. § 1251 — Congressional declaration of goals and policy

**(a) Restoration and maintenance of chemical, physical and biological integrity of Nation’s waters; national goals for achievement of objective** The objective of this chapter is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters. In order to achieve this objective it is hereby declared that, consistent with the provisions of this chapter— (1) it is the national goal that the discharge of pollutants into the navigable waters be eliminated by 1985; (2) it is the national goal that wherever attainable, an interim goal of water quality which provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for recreation in and on the water be achieved by July 1, 1983; (3) it is the national policy that the discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts be prohibited; (4) it is the national policy that Federal financial assistance be provided to construct publicly owned waste treatment works; (5) it is the national policy that areawide waste treatment management planning processes be developed and implemented to assure adequate control of sources of pollutants in each State; (6) it is the national policy that a major research and demonstration effort be made to develop technology necessary to eliminate the discharge of pollutants into the navigable waters, waters of the contiguous zone, and the oceans; and (7) it is the national policy that programs for the control of nonpoint sources of pollution be developed and implemented in an expeditious manner so as to enable the goals of this chapter to be met through the control of both point and nonpoint sources of pollution. **(b) Congressional recognition, preservation, and protection of primary responsibilities and rights of States** It is the policy

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 33 U.S.C. § 1251

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

30 U.S.C. § 1272 — Designating areas unsuitable for surface coal mining

**(a) Establishment of State planning process; standards; State process requirements; integration with present and future land use planning and regulation processes; savings provisions** (1) To be eligible to assume primary regulatory authority pursuant to [section 1253 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1253&num=0&edition=prelim), each State shall establish a planning process enabling objective decisions based upon competent and scientifically sound data and information as to which, if any, land areas of a State are unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations pursuant to the standards set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection but such designation shall not prevent the mineral exploration pursuant to the chapter of any area so designated. (2) Upon petition pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the State regulatory authority shall designate an area as unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations if the State regulatory authority determines that reclamation pursuant to the requirements of this chapter is not technologically and economically feasible. (3) Upon petition pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, a surface area may be designated unsuitable for certain types of surface coal mining operations if such operations will— (A) be incompatible with existing State or local land use plans or programs; or (B) affect fragile or historic lands in which such operations could result in significant damage to important historic, cultural, scientific, and esthetic values and natural systems; or (C) affect renewable resource lands in which such operations could result in a substantial loss or reduction of long-range productivity of water sup

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 1272

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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

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 1254

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

42 U.S.C. § 7401 — Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

**(a) Findings** The Congress finds— (1) that the predominant part of the Nation’s population is located in its rapidly expanding metropolitan and other urban areas, which generally cross the boundary lines of local jurisdictions and often extend into two or more States; (2) that the growth in the amount and complexity of air pollution brought about by urbanization, industrial development, and the increasing use of motor vehicles, has resulted in mounting dangers to the public health and welfare, including injury to agricultural crops and livestock, damage to and the deterioration of property, and hazards to air and ground transportation; (3) that air pollution prevention (that is, the reduction or elimination, through any measures, of the amount of pollutants produced or created at the source) and air pollution control at its source is the primary responsibility of States and local governments; and (4) that Federal financial assistance and leadership is essential for the development of cooperative Federal, State, regional, and local programs to prevent and control air pollution. **(b) Declaration** The purposes of this subchapter are— (1) to protect and enhance the quality of the Nation’s air resources so as to promote the public health and welfare and the productive capacity of its population; (2) to initiate and accelerate a national research and development program to achieve the prevention and control of air pollution; (3) to provide technical and financial assistance to State and local governments in connection with the development and execution of their air pollution prevention and control programs; and (4) to encourage and assist the development and operation of regional air pollution prevention and control programs. **(c) Pollution prevention** A prim

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 7401

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

30 U.S.C. § 1231 — Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund

**(a) Establishment; administration; State funds** There is created on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund (hereinafter referred to as the “fund”) which shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. State abandoned mine reclamation funds (State funds) generated by grants from this subchapter shall be established by each State pursuant to an approved State program. **(b) Sources of deposits to fund** The fund shall consist of amounts deposited in the fund, from time to time derived from— (1) the reclamation fees levied under [section 1232 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1232&num=0&edition=prelim); (2) any user charge imposed on or for land reclaimed pursuant to this subchapter after expenditures for maintenance have been deducted; (3) donations by persons, corporations, associations, and foundations for the purposes of this subchapter; (4) recovered moneys as provided for in this subchapter; and (5) interest credited to the fund under subsection (e). **(c) Use of moneys** Moneys in the fund may be used for the following purposes: (1) reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past coal mining, including but not limited to reclamation and restoration of abandoned surface mine areas, abandoned coal processing areas, and abandoned coal refuse disposal areas; sealing and filling abandoned deep mine entries and voids; planting of land adversely affected by past coal mining to prevent erosion and sedimentation; prevention, abatement, treatment, and control of water pollution created by coal mine drainage including restoration of stream beds, and construction and operation of water treatment pl

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 1231

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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

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 1232

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

30 U.S.C. § 1235 — State reclamation program

**(a) Promulgation of regulations** Not later than the end of the one hundred and eighty-day period immediately following August 3, 1977, the Secretary shall promulgate and publish in the Federal Register regulations covering implementation of an abandoned mine reclamation program incorporating the provisions of this subchapter and establishing procedures and requirements for preparation, submission, and approval of State programs consisting of the plan and annual submissions of projects. **(b) Submission of State Reclamation Plan and annual projects** Each State having within its borders coal mined lands eligible for reclamation under this subchapter, may submit to the Secretary a State Reclamation Plan and annual projects to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. **(c) Restriction** The Secretary shall not approve, fund, or continue to fund a State abandoned mine reclamation program unless that State has an approved State regulatory program pursuant to [section 1253 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1253&num=0&edition=prelim). **(d) Approval of State program; withdrawal** If the Secretary determines that a State has developed and submitted a program for reclamation of abandoned mines and has the ability and necessary State legislation to implement the provisions of this subchapter, sections 1232 and 1240 of this title excepted, the Secretary shall approve such State program and shall grant to the State exclusive responsibility and authority to implement the provisions of the approved program: Provided, That the Secretary shall withdraw such approval and authorization if he determines upon the basis of information provided under this section that the State program is not in compliance with the procedures,

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 1235

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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

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 1256

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

30 U.S.C. § 1268 — Penalties

**(a) Civil penalties for violations of permit conditions and provisions of this subchapter** In the enforcement of a Federal program or Federal lands program, or during Federal enforcement pursuant to [section 1252 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1252&num=0&edition=prelim) or during Federal enforcement of a State program pursuant to [section 1271 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1271&num=0&edition=prelim), any permittee who violates any permit condition or who violates any other provision of this subchapter, may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary, except that if such violation leads to the issuance of a cessation order under [section 1271 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title30-section1271&num=0&edition=prelim), the civil penalty shall be assessed. Such penalty shall not exceed $5,000 for each violation. Each day of continuing violation may be deemed a separate violation for purposes of penalty assessments. In determining the amount of the penalty, consideration shall be given to the permittee’s history of previous violations at the particular surface coal mining operation; the seriousness of the violation, including any irreparable harm to the environment and any hazard to the health or safety of the public; whether the permittee was negligent; and the demonstrated good faith of the permittee charged in attempting to achieve rapid compliance after notification of the violation. **(b) Hearing** A civil penalty shall be assessed by the Secretary only after the person charged with a violation described under subsection (a) of this section has been given an opportunity for a public hearing. Where such a

Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 30 U.S.C. § 1268

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