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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 26.20.12.04" title_num="26" subtitle_num="20" chapter_num="12" heading="Government-Funded Reclamation Projects.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>When the Bureau is considering an abandoned mine land reclamation project as government-financed construction and the level of funding will be less than 50 percent of the total cost because of planned coal extraction, the Bureau shall determine the likelihood:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>That nearby or adjacent mining activities may create new environmental problems or adversely affect existing environmental problems at the site;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>That reclamation activities at the site may adversely affect nearby or adjacent mining activities; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Of the coal being mined under a permit issued in accordance with Environment Article, Title 15, Subtitle 5, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The determination under §A(3) of this regulation shall take into account available information, such as:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Coal reserves from existing mine maps or other sources;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Existing environmental conditions;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>All prior mining activity on or adjacent to the site;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Current and historic coal production in the area; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Any known or anticipated interest in the mining site.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If the Bureau decides to proceed with the reclamation project after making the determinations under §A of this regulation, the Bureau shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Determine the limits on any coal refuse, coal waste, or other coal products which may be extracted under this regulation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Delineate the boundaries of the abandoned mine land reclamation project.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The Bureau shall include documentation in the abandoned mine land project file for the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Determinations made under §§A and C of this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Information taken into account in making the determinations; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Names of the persons making the determinations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>For each abandoned mine land reclamation project to be approved under this regulation, the Bureau shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Characterize the site in terms of mine drainage, active slides and slide prone areas, erosion and sedimentation, vegetation, toxic materials, and hydrologic balance;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Ensure that the reclamation project is conducted in accordance with the provisions of Environment Article, Title 15, Subtitle 11, Annotated Code of Maryland, and 30 CFR Subchapter R;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Develop specific-site reclamation requirements, including performance bonds, when appropriate, in accordance with State procedures; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Require the contractor conducting the reclamation to provide, before the time the reclamation project begins, documents that clearly authorize the extraction of coal and payment of royalties.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The Bureau shall require a reclamation contractor who extracts coal beyond the limits of the incidental coal specified in §C of this regulation to obtain a permit for the coal in accordance with Environment Article, Title 15, Subtitle 5, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>