1. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 George Chen Pd. 3 APES Mr. Bodas 30 April, 2012

2. SMCRA Introduced in HoR: Jan. 4 1977 – Passed HoR: Apr. 29 1977 – Passed Sen: May 20 1977 Signed POTUS Carter: Aug. 3 1977 -> Federal Law – Amended: 1990, 2006 Purpose: regulating coal mines, reclaiming abandoned coal mines consistent across the entire country – Cooperative Federalism: Federal laws enforced by state regulators Exceptions: Tennessee, Washington are overseen by Office of Surface Mining not state programs Established Abandoned Mine Land fund: tax on coal mined by ton to help cleanup abandoned mines overseen by Office of Surface Mining

3. Cont. Est. “Standards of Performance”: environmental standards strip mining operations must follow Permitting: companies must apply for permits before mining – Outline what lands conditions are, what proposed mining/reclamation will be, how mine will meet Standards of Performance Bonding: Mining companies must pay a bond cost that will cover cost of reclaiming land before operations to ensure that if company goes out of business, land can still be reclaimed Inspection, Enforcement: Inspectors may issue “notices of violation” to mining companies during operations and will be fined, or told to cease operations Land Restrictions: no mining on National Parks, wilderness areas, citizens may challenge mining operations on basis of too much environmental harm