The purposes of the Compact are to protect and restore land, water, and other resources affected by mining. The Commission works to eliminate or reduce the pollution and deterioration of land, water, and air attributable to mining. Further, the Commission encourages programs to protect, conserve, and improve the usefulness of natural resources. The Commission also recommends techniques to improve, restore, or protect land and other resources affected by mining and helps support and maintain an efficient, productive mining industry.
The Commission is authorized to study mining operations, processes, and techniques, as well as conservation, adaptation, improvement, and restoration of land and related resources affected by mining. The Commission also may gather and disseminate information, make recommendations, and cooperate with public and private entities concerned with any subject within the purview of the Compact.
Each member state has agreed to establish a program to conserve and use mined lands. Such programs protect the public and landowners from damage due to mining operations; set standards for conducting mining operations and handling mining waste; and institute and maintain procedures to adapt, restore, and rehabilitate mined lands. They also prevent, abate, and control pollution from past, present, and future mining.
The twenty-three governors of the states that have ratified the Compact compose the Commission. Each governor may name an alternate member. The Commission's annual budget for Fiscal Year 2016 is $665,000. The first half of the budget is assessed to each member state on an equal basis. The other half is pro-rated on the basis of the value of mineral production in the party states (Code Environment Article, secs. 15-901 through 15-902).
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e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov
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