§ 1299. — Study of reclamation standards for surface mining of other minerals.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 30USC1299]
TITLE 30--MINERAL LANDS AND MINING
CHAPTER 25--SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION
SUBCHAPTER VII--ADMINISTRATIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 1299. Study of reclamation standards for surface mining of
other minerals
(a) Contract with National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of
Engineering; requirements
The Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality is directed to
contract to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in
appropriation Acts with the National Academy of Sciences-National
Academy of Engineering, other Government agencies or private groups as
appropriate, for an in-depth study of current and developing technology
for surface and open pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than
coal designed to assist in the establishment of effective and reasonable
regulation of surface and open pit mining and reclamation for minerals
other than coal. The study shall--
(1) assess the degree to which the requirements of this chapter
can be met by such technology and the costs involved;
(2) identify areas where the requirements of this chapter cannot
be met by current and developing technology;
(3) in those instances describe requirements most comparable to
those of this chapter which could be met, the costs involved, and
the differences in reclamation results between these requirements
and those of this chapter; and
(4) discuss alternative regulatory mechanisms designed to insure
the achievement of the most beneficial postmining land use for areas
affected by surface and open pit mining.
(b) Submittal of study with legislative recommendation to President and
Congress
The study together with specific legislative recommendations shall
be submitted to the President and the Congress no later than eighteen
months after August 3, 1977: Provided, That, with respect to surface or
open pit mining for sand and gravel the study shall be submitted no
later than twelve months after August 3, 1977: Provided further, That
with respect to mining for oil shale and tar sands that a preliminary
report shall be submitted no later than twelve months after August 3,
1977.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of this
section $500,000: Provided, That no new budget authority is authorized
to be appropriated for fiscal year 1977.
(Pub. L. 95-87, title VII, Sec. 709, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 522.)
