2458

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 899

SHALL INCLUDE: (1) TWO COPIES OF AN ACCURATE MAP OR PLAN
AS REQUIRED BY §7-401 (A) OF THIS TITLE; (2) A DETAILED
MINE OPENING SEALING PLAN AND GENERAL RECLAMATION PLAN
FOR THE AFFECTED AREA; (3) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED
BY THE SECRETARY; AND (4) AN APPLICATION FOR EACH OTHER
PERMIT REQUIRED FOR THE OPERATION BY THE NATURAL
RESOURCES ARTICLE.

(C)    WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER SUBMISSION OF THE
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS
SECTION, THE SECRETARY SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING WITH THE
OPERATOR. THE HEARING SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN A MANNER
THAT FULFILLS THE REQUIREMENTS OF ALL OTHER PERMIT

PROVISIONS OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES ARTICLE. PRIOR TO

THE HEARING, THE SECRETARY SHALL SEEK THE RECOMMENDATIONS

OF THE LAND RECLAMATION COMMITTEE CONCERNING THE GENERAL

RECLAMATION PLAN FOR THE AFFECTED AREA.

(D)    AFTER THE HEARING, THE SECRETARY SHALL
APPROVE, REJECT, OR MODIFY THE PROPOSED DEEP MINING
PLANS. IF THE SECRETARY MODIFIES OR REJECTS A DEEP MINING
PLAN, THE OPERATOR SHALL BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING OF THE
REASONS FOR REJECTION OR THE MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED. THE
OPERATOR MAY RESUBMIT THE PLAN WITH THE REQUESTED
CORRECTIONS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE SECRETARY.

(E)    A PERMIT ISSUED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE IS VALID
FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO FIVE YEARS FROM ITS ISSUANCE OR
UNTIL THE OPERATION IS COMPLETED OR ABANDONED, UNLESS THE
DEPARTMENT SUSPENDS OR REVOKES THE PERMIT OR UNLESS THE
PERMITTEE REQUESTS A CHANGE IN OPERATIONS.

(F)    A PERMIT IS RENEWABLE ON APPLICATION AND
PAYMENT OF A $200 FEE.

(G)    A PERMIT MAY NOT BE ISSUED TO ANY OPERATOR FOR
THE PURPOSE OF MINING ANY ABANDONED MINE OR PART OF IT
THAT HAS BEEN SEALED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE,
UNLESS A DETAILED PROJECTED MINING PLAN IN THE FORM OF A
COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS IS SUBMITTED TO AND APPROVED BY THE
SECRETARY. THE SECRETARY MAY NOT APPROVE A PLAN UNLESS
THE PLAN SHOWS THAT A CONTINUATION OF MINING WOULD NOT
AFFECT ADVERSELY THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL BALANCE OF THE
AREA AND WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS FOR THE MORE COMPLETE
RECOVERY AND UTILIZATION OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES.

7-5A06.

(A) WHEN, BY SALE, LEASE, ASSIGNMENT, OR
OTHERWISE, ONE OPERATOR SUCCEEDS TO THE INTEREST OF
ANOTHER IN ANY UNCOMPLETED MINING OPERATION, THE
DEPARTMENT MAY RELEASE THE FIRST OPERATOR FROM ALL
LIABILITIES IMPOSED ON HIM BY THIS SUBTITLE WITH
REFERENCE TO THE OPERATION AND TRANSFER THE PERMIT TO THE
SUCCESSOR OPERATOR, IF BOTH OPERATORS HAVE COMPLIED WITH
THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE AND THE SUCCESSOR
OPERATOR ASSUMES THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
FIRST OPERATOR WITH REFERENCE TO RECLAMATION OF THE LAND