880-X-7A-.01 Scope. This Chapter established procedures for implementing the requirements of the Act for designating lands unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations, for terminating such designations, for identifying lands on which surface coal mining operations are limited or prohibited under Section 28 of the Act and for implementing those limits and prohibitions.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-16-71, 73, 74, 75, 80, 92, 96.

880-X-7A-.02 Objectives. The objectives of this Chapter are to establish --

(a) Procedures for consideration of petitions for the designation of lands as unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations, for the termination of these designations, and for public participation in petition proceedings;

(b) The minimum standards for obtaining, maintaining and analyzing information on the effects of coal development in areas covered by a petition in light of other potential uses and activities;

(c) Procedures for identifying lands on which mining is prohibited or limited by Section 28 of the Act and for implementing those prohibitions or limitations; and

(d) Criteria for determining if an area should be designated as unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-16-71, 73, 74, 75, 80, 92, 96.

880-X-7A-.03 Authority.

(1) Each State Regulatory Authority is authorized, under Section 28(a)(1) of the Act to establish a data base and inventory system and a petition process to designate any non-Federal and non-Indian land areas of the State as unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§9-16-71, 73, 74, 75, 80, 92, 96.