§1299 Study of reclamation standards for surface mining of other minerals

Summary

The Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality must hire the National Academy of Sciences–National Academy of Engineering, other government agencies, or private groups to do a deep study of current and developing technology for surface and open‑pit mining and land restoration for minerals other than coal. The study must check whether the technology can meet the law’s standards and at what cost, point out where it cannot, describe the closest achievable standards and their costs and results, and look at other rules that would secure the best post‑mining land use. The study and specific law changes must be sent to the President and Congress no later than 18 months after August 3, 1977. For sand and gravel the report is due in 12 months after August 3, 1977, and a preliminary report on oil shale and tar sands is due in 12 months after August 3, 1977. Up to $500,000 may be appropriated for this work, but no new budget authority is allowed for fiscal year 1977.