Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

Karlin Bergum

National/International: National OnlyAmendment Years: 2006; the authority to collect fees was withdrawn2012; a limit of $15,000,000 was set on the annual payments to a stateAgency/Group Responsible: The Federal Government oversees the execution of this Act, but, if states create and enforce their own regulations on surface mining that are on the same level or more strict than this Act and have a regulatory agency specifically for the enforcing of their regulations then the states enforce the surface mining laws on their own. In the states that don’t have their own regulations and on Federal lands, the Office of Surface Mining oversees the execution and enforcement of this Act.Function:Regulates;The standards of performance of a mine during mine operationThe permits given to mine a siteThe bonds given for successful site reclamationThe inspection and enforcement of mines in operationLand Restrictions and allows citizens oppose potential mine sites Environmental Issues Affected: This Act helped lessen the amount of ignite coal fires in and around mines, lessens acid mine drainage and improving the air quality of the area in and around the mine as well as lessening the overall strains on the environment