§ 15-58-101. Title

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act of 1979”.

§ 15-58-102. Legislative findings

The General Assembly of the State of Arkansas finds, and it is declared that: (1) (A) The extraction of coal from the earth by surface mining in this state is a significant economic activity, is an integral part of the growth and development of this state, and is important to supply energy to the people […]

§ 15-58-103. Declaration of policy

The General Assembly of the State of Arkansas declares that it is the purpose of this subchapter to: (1) Assure that the coal supply essential to society’s energy requirements and to its economic and social well-being is provided; (2) Establish a statewide program for surface coal mining and reclamation which is designed to protect society […]

§ 15-58-104. Definitions

As used in this chapter: (1) “Affected governmental agency” means an agency which has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental, social, or economic impact involved in the surface coal mining operation, or is authorized to develop and enforce environmental standards with respect to that operation; (2) “Coal” means all forms […]

§ 15-58-105. Public agencies, utilities, and corporations

Any agency, unit, or instrumentality of federal, state, or local government, including any publicly owned utility or publicly owned corporation of federal, state, or local government, which proposes to engage in surface coal mining operations which are subject to the requirements of this chapter shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and the rules […]

§ 15-58-106. Exempt activities

This chapter does not apply to any of the following activities: (1) (A) The mining, surface or otherwise, of any minerals or materials other than coal. (B) All minerals and materials other than coal, when applicable, shall be regulated according to the Arkansas Open-Cut Land Reclamation Act of 1977 [repealed] or the Arkansas Quarry Operation, […]

§ 15-58-107. Water rights and replacement

(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as affecting in any way the right of any person to enforce or protect, under applicable law, his or her interest in water resources affected by a surface coal mining operation. (b) The operator of a surface coal mine shall replace the water supply of an owner […]