HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                     3789

experience a high unemployment rate, surface mining represents
only 1 percent of total employment in these two counties (1983
Department of Economic and Community Development data).

The Department of Economic and Community Development
estimates that there are 38 million tons of coal held in reserve
on steep slopes in this State, which will extend the surface
mining industry for another 20 years. This estimate must be
considered with that of the Maryland Geological Survey which
indicates that a minimum of 36 million tons, or at least 20 years
of coal reserves, are still available to the industry from mining
existing slopes under 20 degrees. The data indicates to me no
immediate or pressing need to repeal the prohibition against
steep slope mining given the environmental risks and unresolved
regulatory issues.

Therefore, for these reasons, I have decided to veto House
Bill 466 and Senate Bill 230.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

Senate Bill No. 230

AN ACT concerning

Open-Pit or Strip Mining

FOR the purpose of repealing a provision of law that prohibits
permitting the Bureau of Mines authorizing the Department of
Natural Resources from issuing to issue an open-pit or strip
mining permit on slopes of 20 degrees or more from the
horizontal, subject to certain conditions; authorizing the
Bureau requiring the Department to deny a strip mining
permit on slopes of 20 degrees or more from the horizontal
based on certain considerations; altering certain provisions
of law relating to the issuance of a permit; requiring a
certain report to the General Assembly; repealing certain
provisions of law concerning strip mining and permits for
certain mining operations on slopes of 20 degrees or more
from the horizontal; and authorizing the Bureau Department
to require an operator of strip mining on slopes of 20
degrees or more from the horizontal any slope to comply with
certain requirements.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Natural Resources

Section 7-505

Annotated Code of Maryland