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Surface Mining control and reclamation act of 1977. Rosemary Newsome. Description.
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Surface Mining control and reclamationact of 1977 Rosemary Newsome
Description • The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977(SMCRA) regulates mining activity, rehabilitates abandoned mines, tries to restore land and water resources, and protects society and the environment from future adverse effects of mining operations. • It is a national policy of the U.S.
What does it do exactly? • Prior to 1977, when amendment was enacted, 1.1 million coal sites had been abandoned. • The SMCRA collected money for the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund which provides funds for rehabilitating land damaged by mining activities, restoring abandoned mining sites, and addressing issues including landslides, land subsidence, and fires. • In addition, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcementwithin the U.S. Department of the Interior was formed. It controls and can restrict surface mining operations, sets permit requirements, reviews and approves state programs, carries out inspections, and conducts enforcement when necessary.
amendments • Abandoned Mine Reclamation Act of 1990: prohibited mountaintop coal mining and funded operations through 1995 • Energy Policy Act of 1992: ensured funding through 2004
sources • http://teeic.anl.gov/lr/dsp_statute.cfm?topic=12&statute=238 • http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/156351/ • http://www.fws.gov/laws/lawsdigest/SURFMIN.HTML • https://wiki.umn.edu/ESPM3241W/S09PolicyBriefTeamTwo • http://www.pghminingreclamationconf.com/conveners.html • http://www.wju.edu/ai/profile/mtr.asp