1134

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 391

THE PLANTING REPORT REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (B), THE
DEPARTMENT MAY RELEASE A PORTION OF THE LIABILITY ON THE
BOND REQUIRED BY § 7-506(B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS
SET FORTH IN § 7-506(C). THE DEPARTMENT SHALL AT ALL TIMES
RETAIN BONDS IN THE AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO INSURE COMPLETION
OF THE RECLAMATION PLAN BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE EVENT OF
FORFEITURE, WHICH AMOUNT MAY NOT BE LESS THAN $10,000.

(B) Within [one week] 2 WEEKS after planting is
completed, the operator shall file a planting report with
the [Bureau] DEPARTMENT on a form furnished by the [Bureau]
DEPARTMENT, giving the following information: identification
of the operation, type of planting, date of planting, area
of land planted, and other relevant information the [Bureau]
DEPARTMENT requires. The [Bureau] DEPARTMENT shall inspect
the premises within one month after the planting report is
filed to determine if the planting has been done [in a
workmanlike manner] in accordance with the [prescribed]
APPROVED RECLAMATION plan [or procedure]. If the [Bureau]
DEPARTMENT determines that the reported area has been
[revegetated and the Committee gives its approval as
required under § 7-510 of this subtitle or if the operator
has been relieved from the obligation to plant trees,
shrubs, or grasses as provided in this subtitle, the
director shall release the bond and collateral in proportion
to the area planted or relieved from planting. On this
release, the State Treasurer shall return immediately to the
operator the amount of cash or securities specified in the
release.] PLANTED ACCORDING TO THE APPROVED PLAN THE REPORT
SHALL BE APPROVED. IF THE REPORT IS APPROVED, THE OPERATOR
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL REVEGETATION OF THE
REPORTED AREA FOR A PERIOD OF 5 FULL YEARS AFTER THE
APPROVAL UNLESS LIABILITY IS EXTENDED BY THE COMMITTEE OR
DEPARTMENT TO INSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF
THIS SUBTITLE, RULES AND REGULATIONS OR PERMIT CONDITIONS.
NOT SOONER THAN 2 YEARS AFTER THE REPORT IS APPROVED, THE
DEPARTMENT MAY RELEASE A PORTION OF THE REVEGETATION BOND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF § 7-506 PROVIDED THAT,
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL AT ALL TIMES RETAIN BONDS IN AN AMOUNT
SUFFICIENT TO INSURE RECLAMATION BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE
EVENT OF FORFEITURE, WHICH AMOUNT MAY NOT BE LESS THAN
$10,000.

7-512.

If the [State Forester] DEPARTMENT does not approve the
planting REPORT, [he] IT shall notify [the Bureau and] the
operator in writing, setting forth [his] THE reasons. The
operator shall take the steps required to remove any
objection.

7-513.

(A) If the operator fails or refuses to comply with
the requirements of this subtitle in any respect for which
liability has been charged on the bond, the director shall
declare the bond forfeited, and certify the case to the