HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1153

BY adding to

Article - Natural Resources

Section 7-901 through 7-909 to be under the new

subtitle "Subtitle 9. Abandoned Mine

Reclamation"
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1974 Volume and 1978 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

SUBTITLE 9. ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION

7-901.

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

(B)   "BOARD" MEANS BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.

(C)   "DEPARTMENT" MEANS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES.

(D)   "LAND" MEANS REAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING
IMPROVEMENTS, RIGHTS-OF-WAY, WATER, RIPARIAN OR OTHER VESTED
RIGHTS, EASEMENTS, PRIVILEGES, AND ANY OTHER ESTATE OR
INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY.

7-902.

IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROMOTE
THE RECLAMATION OF MINED AREAS LEFT WITHOUT ADEQUATE
RECLAMATION WHICH CONTINUE TO DEGRADE THE QUALITY OF THE
ENVIRONMENT, PREVENT OR DAMAGE THE BENEFICIAL USE OF LAND OR
WATER RESOURCES, OR ENDANGER USE OF LAND OR WATER RESOURCES,
OR ENDANGER THE HEALTH OR SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. TO
ACCOMPLISH THESE OBJECTIVES, THE DEPARTMENT IS HEREBY
AUTHORIZED TO ADMINISTER AN ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION
PROGRAM CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL
SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION ACT.

7-903.

ANY FUNDS THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES PURSUANT TO TITLE IV
OF THE FEDERAL SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION ACT OF
1977 SHALL BE DEPOSITED TO THE CREDIT OF THE STATE
TREASURER. THESE FUNDS, TOGETHER WITH ANY OTHER FUNDS
APPROPRIATED FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE, SHALL BE
MAINTAINED IN A SPECIAL FUND ON THE BOOKS OF THE COMPTROLLER
OF THE TREASURY IN AN ACCOUNT KNOWN AS THE "FEDERAL-STATE
RECLAMATION FUND." THE DEPARTMENT SHALL USE THE FUNDS TO
ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH