2456

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 899

Section 7—5A01 through 7—5A15, inclusive, to be
under the new subtitle "Subtitle 5A. Deep
Mine Control"

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1974 Volume and 1975 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That new Sections 7-5A01 through 7-5A15,
inclusive, to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 5A.
Deep Mine Control" be and they are hereby added to
Article - Natural Resources, of the Annotated Code of
Maryland (1974 Volume and 1975 Supplement) to read as
follows:

Article - Natural Resources

SUBTITLE 5A. DEEP MINE CONTROL

7-5A01.

(A)    IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(B)    "ABANDONED" MEANS AN OPERATION FROM WHICH COAL
HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED FOR A SIX MONTH PERIOD.

(C)    "AFFECTED AREA" MEANS: (I) THE LAND WITHIN THE
PERMIT AREA FROM WHICH COAL IS REMOVED AND WHICH IS
OCCUPIED BY PILLARS; (II) ALL LAND ADJACENT TO THE MINE
OPENINGS UTILIZED BY THE OPERATOR; AND (III) OFF-SITE
DISPOSAL AREAS.

(D)    "COMPLETED" MEANS AN OPERATION WHERE
BACKFILLING, SEALING, REVEGETATION, AND OTHER
REQUIREMENTS OF THE PERMIT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

(E)    "DEEP MINING" MEANS THE EXTRACTION OF COAL
THROUGH UNDERGROUND MINING METHODS, INCLUDING GAINING
ACCESS TO THE COAL DEPOSITS BY MEANS OF VERTICAL OR
INCLINED SHAFTS, BY DRIFT MINING FROM THE COAL OUTCROP,
OR BY OTHER MEANS THAT DO NOT INVOLVE THE STRIPPING AWAY
OF OVERBURDEN TO EXPOSE THE DEPOSIT.

(F) "MINE OPENING SEALING" MEANS ADEQUATE SEALING
OF A MINE SO THAT DISCHARGE FROM THE MINE IS NOT OR WILL
NOT BECOME INJURIOUS TO ANIMAL OR AQUATIC LIFE OR TO USE
OF WATER FOR DOMESTIC OR INDUSTRIAL CONSUMPTION OR
RECREATION OR DOES NOT OR WILL NOT VIOLATE WATER QUALITY
OR EFFLUENT STANDARDS.

(G) "OPENING" MEANS A PASSAGE INTO A COAL BED THAT
IS USED FOR HAULAGE, TRAVELING WAYS, VENTILATION, OR
REMOVAL OR INTRODUCTION OF WATER.

(H) "OPERATOR" MEANS A PERSON ENGAGED IN DEEP
MINING AS A PRINCIPAL AS DISTINGUISHED FROM AN AGENT OR
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.