3078

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 668

(vi) The extraction of minerals, by a landowner
for his own noncommercial use from land owned or leased by him;

(vii) Mining operations if the affected land
does not exceed one acre in area;

(viii)] (3) The extraction of sand, gravel,
rock, stone, earth, or fill from borrow pits for highway
construction purposes or other public facilities[, if the work is
performed under a bond, contract, and specifications of the
Department which provide for and require reclamation of the area
affected in the manner provided by this subtitle; or

(ix) Dredging from submerged public or private
lands in the State if this activity is conducted under a license
from the State Board of Public Works or by permit from the
Department, as provided for in Title 9 of this article].

(v) "Tract" means a single parcel of land or two or more
contiguous parcels of land with common ownership.

(w) "Unreclaimed" means land which has not been
rehabilitated for useful purposes or the protection of natural
resources.

7-6A-02.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that the
extraction of minerals by mining is a basic and essential
activity making an important contribution to the economic
well-being of the State and the nation, AND FURTHER FINDS THAT
ALL REASONABLE STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT THESE RESOURCES
FROM ENCROACHMENT BY OTHER LAND USES THAT WOULD MAKE THESE
RESOURCES UNAVAILABLE FOR FUTURE USES AS MINERAL RESOURCES.
Furthermore, it is not practical to extract minerals required by
our society without disturbing the surface of the earth and
producing waste materials, and the very character of certain
surface mining operations precludes complete restoration of the
land to its original condition. However, it is possible to
conduct mining in a way to minimize its effects on the
surrounding environment. Furthermore, proper reclamation of mined
land is necessary to prevent undesirable land and water
conditions that would be detrimental to the general welfare,
health, safety, beauty, and property rights of the citizens of
the State. In addition, there are certain circumstances when
surface mining is not desirable, such as when the operation will
have an unduly adverse effect on wildlife or fresh water,
estuarine or marine fisheries. The General Assembly finds that
the conduct of mining and reclamation of mined lands as provided
by this subtitle will allow the mining of valuable minerals and
provide for the protection of the State's environment and the
subsequent beneficial use of the mined and reclaimed land.