Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA)

Legislation regulating the environmental effects of coal mining in the United States. This Act (30 USC 1201 - 1328) created the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) within the U.S. Department of the Interior to establish and oversee programs for regulating active coal mines on federal and state lands and reclamation of abandoned mine lands. The regulation of active mines is intended to prevent environmental degradation as a result of coal mining and includes environmental performance standards, permit requirements, reclamation bond requirements, inspection and enforcement authority, and restrictions on mining on certain lands. The reclamation program consists of an Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation (AML) Fund to pay for the cleanup of abandoned mine sites through both state and federal programs and to address issues associated with landslides, land subsidence, and fires associated with coal mining. The full suite of regulations promulgated by the OSM under SMCRA is available at 30 CFR 700-955.

Regulations Applicable to Energy Development

The entire suite of regulations issued by the OSM may be applicable to coal mining activities on tribal lands.

• SMCRA Regulations (30 CFR 700-955)
  Regulations issued by the OSM under the authority of SMCRA

Relevant Web Site(s)

• Office of Surface Mining
  OSM Web site providing access to information about the regulation of coal mines and reclamation of abandoned mine lands