3086

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 668

7-6A-11.

(a)   [A] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS
SECTION, A surface mining permit shall be granted for such period
as requested and deemed reasonable, but not exceeding 25 years.
If the mining operation has been completed and the reclamation
required under the approved mining and reclamation plan is
completed prior to the expiration of the permit, the permit may
terminate. Termination of a permit does not relieve the
[operator] PERMITTEE of any obligations which he has incurred
under his approved mining and reclamation plan or otherwise. If
the [operator] PERMITTEE wishes to continue operation of his
preparation plant, his permit may remain valid but shall be
modified.

(b)  A permit shall be void if surface mining has not
commenced within two years of its issuance.

7-6A-12.

(a)  Any [operator] PERMITTEE engaged in surface mining
under a surface mining permit may apply at any time for
modification of the permit. The application shall be in writing
on forms furnished by the Department and fully state the
information called for. In addition, the applicant may be
required to furnish other information the Department reasonably
deems necessary to enforce this subtitle. However, it is not
necessary to resubmit information which has not changed since the
original application, if the applicant so states in writing.

(b)  A modification under this section may affect the land
area covered by the permit, the approved mining and reclamation
plan coupled with the permit, or other terms and conditions of
the permit. A permit may be modified to include land contiguous
to the existing affected land, but not other lands. The mining
and reclamation plan may be modified in any manner, if the
Department determines that the modified plan fully meets the
standards set forth in § 7-6A-19 OF THIS SUBTITLE and that the
modifications would be generally consistent with the bases for
the issuance of the original permit. Other terms and conditions
may be modified only if the Department determines that the permit
as modified would meet the requirements of §§ 7-6A-07 and 7-6A-09
OF THIS SUBTITLE. No modification may extend the expiration date
of any permit issued under this subtitle.

(c)   [A] EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (D) OF
THIS SECTION, A $100 fee shall be charged for a permit
modification.

(D) A FEE OF $8 FOR EACH ACRE OF AFFECTED LAND FOR EACH
YEAR OF OPERATION, BUT NOT EXCEEDING $500 SHALL BE CHARGED FOR
ANY MODIFICATION RELATING TO THE ADDITION OF AFFECTED LAND.