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 15-801 – Definitions
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Affected land” means the land from which the mineral is removed by surface mining, and all other land area in which the natural land surface has been disturbed as a result of or incidental to the surface mining activities of the permittee, including private ways […]
Section 15-802 – Legislative Intent
(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that: (1) The extraction of minerals by mining is a basic and essential activity making an important contribution to the economic well-being of the State and the nation and that this activity must be balanced against potential health, safety, and environmental effects; (2) All reasonable steps should be taken: (i) To protect […]
Section 15-803 – Regulations
(a) The Department may adopt regulations reasonably necessary for the administration of this subtitle. Regulations shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. (b) In adopting regulations under this subtitle, the Department shall recognize the basic and essential resource utilization aspect of the surface mining industry and the importance of the industry […]
Section 15-804 – Review of Mineral Resources Plans
(a) The Department shall review mineral resources plan elements developed by local planning commissions under § 1–411 or § 3–107 of the Land Use Article to determine whether the proposed plan is consistent with the programs and goals of the Department. (b) The Department shall make its determination within 60 days after submission by a local planning […]
Section 15-805 – Surface Mined Land Reclamation Fund
(a) All funds received by the Department from license fees, permit fees, special reclamation fees, the forfeiture of bonds and of cash deposits and securities, and fines collected upon conviction of a permittee or a licensee under §§ 15–807(f) and 15–808(k) of this subtitle shall be deposited to the credit of the State Treasurer in a […]