2520                                       LAWS OF MARYLAND                                 Ch. 853

on the bond. Funds received on a forfeiture in excess of
the amount required for reclamation may be used to reclaim
any other land affected by open-pit mining of bituminous
coal. The Secretary shall use the fund to reimburse
counties from which coal is removed by strip or open pit

mining for the additional cost of road maintenance

attributable to the coal mining industry. All payments to
counties, EXCEPT FOR THOSE FUNDS TO BE REMITTED DIRECTLY TO
THE COUNTIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 7-507.1 OF THIS ARTICLE,
shall be subject to approval by the General Assembly.

7-5A02.

In this subtitle the General Assembly intends to
provide for the reclamation of the land affected by deep
mining operations [and]; PROVIDE for the protection of the
waters of the State that otherwise might be affected
adversely by pollution from deep mines; AND PROVIDE FOR THE
IMPROVEMENT OF THE HEALTH, WELFARE, AND LIVING CONDITIONS IN
THE COMMUNITIES AND COUNTIES IN WHICH COAL MINING IS AN
IMPORTANT INDUSTRY.

7-5A12.

(a) [At the end of each year of operation] BY THE
TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF EACH MONTH, a deep mine operator shall
file [an annual] A MONTHLY progress report with the
Secretary on a form furnished by the Secretary. [The] IN
THE REPORT, THE operator shall indicate the total area
affected, number of mine openings, tonnage of coal removed,
and changes in this information over previous [years]
MONTHS. AN ANNUAL REPORT SHALL BE FURNISHED TO THE
SECRETARY NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 25 OF EACH YEAR FOR THE
PRECEDING YEAR COVERING FACTS THE SECRETARY MAY REQUIRE
REGARDING THE PRODUCTION AND CONDITION OF THE OPERATION
DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR PRECEDING. The operator also
shall update the information on the maps previously supplied
with the permit application.

(b) On the basis of the approved annual AND MONTHLY
progress or completion reports the Secretary shall assess a
15—cent surcharge for each ton of coal removed during the

past year. SEVEN AND ONE HALF NINE CENTS OF THE AMOUNTS

COLLECTED FROM EACH TON OF COAL REMOVED SHALL BE RETAINED BY
THE SECRETARY AND 7 1/2 6 CENTS SHALL BE REMITTED DIRECTLY
TO THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE COAL WAS REMOVED.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1978.

Approved May 29, 1978.

CHAPTER 854