Title 30 — Mineral Lands and MiningRelease 119-73

§1301 Experimental practices

Title 30 › Chapter CHAPTER 25— - SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER VII— - ADMINISTRATIVE AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › § 1301

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The mining regulator, with the Secretary's approval, may allow case-by-case trials that depart from environmental rules so new mining or post‑mining uses (like industry, housing, or recreation) can be tested. Trials are allowed only if they are at least as protective during and after mining, limited in size and number to what's needed to test effectiveness and cost, and do not reduce public health or safety protections.

Full Legal Text

Title 30, §1301

Mineral Lands and Mining — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In order to encourage advances in mining and reclamation practices or to allow post-mining land use for industrial, commercial, residential, or public use (including recreational facilities), the regulatory authority with approval by the Secretary may authorize departures in individual cases on an experimental basis from the environmental protection performance standards promulgated under section 1265 and 1266 of this title. Such departures may be authorized if (i) the experimental practices are potentially more or at least as environmentally protective, during and after mining operations, as those required by promulgated standards; (ii) the mining operations approved for particular land-use or other purposes are not larger or more numerous than necessary to determine the effectiveness and economic feasibility of the experimental practices; and (iii) the experimental practices do not reduce the protection afforded public health and safety below that provided by promulgated standards.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

30 U.S.C. § 1301

Title 30 — Mineral Lands and Mining

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73