HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2765

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Natural Resources

Section 7-6A-01(q), 7-6A-04(b), 7-6A-09(b), and

7-6A-24(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1974 Volume and 1981 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Natural Resources
Section 7-6A-01(w)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1974 Volume and 1981 Supplement)

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

Article - Natural Resources

7-6A-01.

(q) "Pre-law surface mine" means a noncoal surface
mine which was mined AND UNRECLAIMED prior to [issuance of a
permit under this subtitle] JANUARY 1, 1977.

(W) "UNRECLAIMED" MEANS LAND WHICH HAS NOT BEEN
REHABILITATED FOR USEFUL PURPOSES OR THE PROTECTION OF
NATURAL RESOURCES.

7-6A-04.

(b) For the reclamation of PRE-LAW surface MINES
[mined lands other than coal abandoned and unreclaimed
before July 1975], the Department may use funds received
from the following sources:

(1)  A forfeiture in excess of the amount
required for reclaiming the area of land affected by the
operation on which the liability was charged;

(2)  A forfeiture relating to land which the
Department determines to be physically impossible to
reclaim; and

(3)  Licensing fees, permitting fees, fines,
funds received from the special reclamation fees established
by § 7-6A-07[(e)] (F), or any other source.

7-6A-09.

(b) The Department may deny the permit on finding
that: