Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 Amy Jeon Period 4

Basic Information & Background Drafted in 1977, never amended National Program Enforced by Department of the Interior (Office of Surface Mining) National Issue: Addresses issues directly within and concerning the United States

Function Require potential miners to submit a permit and detailed application before commencing surface coal mining Require coal companies to post a bond to ensure that the costs of reclamation would be covered Have miners satisfy highly detailed standards for reclamation Require mining companies to restore to the mined land its approximate contour and use capacity Also required to stabilize the soil and redistribute the topsoil, and to restore plant life to the site.

Environmental Issues Environmental degradation and subsequent reclamation through mining and regulation of the activities Strip mining in particular Habitat loss Desertification Destruction of landscape Atmosphere Pollution