1. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
Maxim Kondratenko

2. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
Created in 1977
Signed into law by President Carter
Amended in 1990 through the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Act, extending funding operations by 5 years
American Federal Law

3. Function of Legislation
Regulates United States coal mines and their environmental impacts.
The SMCRA is made up of two programs:
Regulatory Program: regulates and observes existing active coal mines.
Reclamation Program: rehabilitates abandoned mines
Works to protect society and the environment from the negative effects of coal mining.

4. Regulation and Enforcement
The SMCRA is under the regulation of the Department of the Interior, specifically the Office of Surface Mining
Enforced under a cooperative federalism approach, meaning that state governments must take the lead in enforcing these regulations, with cooperation from the federal government.