Surface Mining Reclamation Act

(LATEST SUMMARY)

=Title I: Statement of Findings and Policy= - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares the purposes of this Act, including to establish a nationwide program to prevent the adverse effects to society and the environment resulting from surface coal mining operations and surface impacts of underground coal mining operations.

=Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement= - Establishes in the Department of Interior the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement to administer the programs for controlling surface coal mining operations which are required by this Act and to perform other specified functions.

=Title III: State Mining and Mineral Resources and Research Institute= - Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior adequate sums to assist States in carrying on the work of a mining and mineral resources research institute at one public college or university.

Authorizes appropriations for research funds to institutes. Sets forth the funding criteria to be met by such institutes.

Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging scientific research in all fields of mining and mineral resources.

Establishes an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research to consult with the Secretary on all matters relating to mining and mineral resources research.

=Title IV: Abandoned Mine Reclamation= - Creates on the books of the Treasury a trust fund known as the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, specifying the nature of amounts deposited in such fund and the purposes for which they shall be available. Sets forth, in priority order, the objectives of the fund, with the protection of health or safety of the public foremost.

Provides for: (1) the reclamation of rural lands; (2) the acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mined lands; and (3) the filling of voids and sealing of tunnels.

=Title V: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining= - Directs the Secretary, within 180 days, to promulgate regulations for surface coal mining and reclamation operations and to establish procedures and requirements for preparation, submission, and approval of State programs and implementation of Federal programs under this title. Outlines the nature of such regulations, the application requirements, the reclamation plan requirements, the filing of performance bonds, and the procedures for permit approval, denial, and revision.

Stipulates that each State or Federal program include a requirement that coal exploration operations which substantially disturb the natural land surface be conducted under a permit issued by the regulatory authority. Requires public notice and hearing on applications for a surface coal mining and reclamation permit, allowing the filing of written objections by specified persons. Prescribes the procedures governing the decisions of a regulatory authority and appeals.

States that any permit issued pursuant to this Act to conduct surface coal mining operations shall require that such operations will meet all applicable performance standards of this Act and such other requirements as the regulatory authority shall promulgate, setting forth twenty minimums for such standards.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) promulgate rules directed toward the surface effects of underground coal mining operations; and (2) cause inspections to be made to evaluate administration of the programs.

Imposes penalties for violations of this Act.

Provides for the release of performance bonds or deposits under enumerated circumstances. Authorizes citizen suits under specified conditions. Provides for enforcement of this Act.

Provides that to be eligible to assume primary regulatory authority, each State shall establish a planning process enabling objective decisions based upon competent data as to which land areas are unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations. Outlines the procedures to be followed in designating areas unsuitable for surface coal mining.

Provides for judicial review of any action of the Secretary to approve or disapprove a State program or to promulgate a Federal program pursuant to this Act.

Authorizes the regulatory authority to issue separate regulations for those special bituminous coal surface mines located west of the one hundredth meridian west longitude which meet specified criteria, including that the excavation of the pit takes place on the same relatively limited site for an extended period of time. Empowers the Secretary to issue separate regulations for anthracite coal surface mines.

=Title VI: Designation of Lands Unsuitable for Non-Coal Mining= - Provides that with respect to Federal lands within any State, the Secretary may review any area to assess whether it may be unsuitable for mining operations for minerals or materials other than coal. Enumerates the criteria and procedures for such review.

=Title VII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions= - Defines the terms used in this Act. States the effect of this Act on other Federal laws. Provides for employee protection.

Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants to any State for assistance in developing, administering, and enforcing State programs under this Act.

Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report concerning activities pursuant to this Act.

Provides a preference in the award of reclamation area contracts to persons adversely affected by this Act. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to States to provide cash benefits to persons who lose coal mining jobs as a direct result of closure under this Act who are not eligible for or have exhausted unemployment assistance.

Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for a study of surface coal mining conditions in Alaska to determine which provisions of this Act should be modified. Calls for a study of the reclamation standards for surface mining of other minerals. Directs the Secretary to study the question of the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands.

States that to encourage advances in mining and reclamation practices the regulatory authority may authorize departures, on an experimental basis, from the environmental protection standards promulgated under provisions of this Act.

Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.

Empowers the Secretary to conduct the coordination and acceleration of research and training related to coal mining technologies and safety and health in the application of such technologies.

Provides for the protection of surface owners and for Federal lessees.