Section 15-812 – Dewatering in Karst Terrain; Legislative Intent; Zones of Dewatering Influence Established; Program Established
(a) The General Assembly finds that in certain regions of the State dewatering of surface mines located in karst terrain may significantly interfere with water supply wells and may cause in some instances sudden subsidence of land, known as sinkholes. Dewatering in karst terrain may result in property damage to landowners in a definable zone of […]
Section 15-828 – Inspection and Approval of Reclamation
(a) At any reasonable time which the Department elects, but at least once a year, the Department shall cause each permit area to be inspected to determine if the permittee has complied with the mining and reclamation plan, the requirements of this subtitle, any rules and regulations adopted under it, the terms and conditions of the […]
Section 15-813 – Permit Conditions for Dewatering a Pit in Karst Terrain
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) “Dewater” or “dewatering” means to pump water out of a pit. (3) “Karst terrain” means an irregular topography that is: (i) Caused by a solution of limestone and other carbonate rock; and (ii) Characterized by closed depressions, sinkholes, caverns, solution cavities, and underground channels that, partially or completely, […]
Section 15-829 – Abandoned or Halted Operations
(a) An operation is considered abandoned if no mineral has been produced or overburden removed for a period of one year, and the permittee has vacated the site of the operation covered by the permit without having complied with all the requirements of the mining and reclamation plan, verified by inspection and written report made by […]
Section 15-814 – Length of Term of Permit
(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 […]
Section 15-815 – Permit Modification
(a) Any 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 […]
Section 15-816 – Permit Renewal
(a) The procedure to be followed and standards to be applied in renewing a permit shall be the same as those for the initial application for a permit, except that it is not necessary to resubmit information which has not changed since the time of the original application, if the applicant so states in writing. However, […]
Section 15-817 – Effective Date of Modification or Renewal
No modification or renewal of a permit becomes effective until any required changes have been made in the performance bond or other security posted under the provisions of § 15-823 of this subtitle, so as to assure the performance of obligations assumed by the permittee under the permit and the mining and reclamation plan.
Section 15-818 – New Permit in Lieu of Modification or Renewal
In lieu of a modification or renewal, a permittee may apply for a new permit in the manner prescribed by §§ 15-808 and 15-822 of this subtitle.
Section 15-819 – Transfer of Permit
(a) When the interest of a permittee in any uncompleted mining operation is sold, leased, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, the Department may release the first permittee from all liabilities imposed upon him by this subtitle with reference to the operation and transfer the permit to the successor in interest, if both the permittee and the […]