HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3957.

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

House Bill No. 466

AN ACT concerning

Open-Pit or Strip Mining

FOR the purpose of repealing a provision of law that prohibits
the Bureau of Mines from issuing authorizing the Department
of Natural Resources 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 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 Department to require an operator of strip
mining on any slope to comply with certain requirements.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Natural Resources

Section 7-505

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1983 Replacement Volume and 1984 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, Open-pit or strip mining is already allowed in
Maryland in certain situations on slopes of 20 degrees or more;
and