§1257 Mine water pollution control demonstrations

Summary

The Administrator, together with the Appalachian Regional Commission and other federal agencies, may run, fund, or contract projects that test wide-ranging ways to stop or control acid and other mine water pollution and other pollution that harms water in part or all of a watershed or river basin, including silt from surface mining. Projects must show that the cleanup methods are technically and economically practical. They can test using sewage sludge and other municipal wastes to reduce pollution and should help return damaged lands to forestry, farming, recreation, or other useful uses. Before any project in the Appalachian region (as defined in section 14102(a)(1) and (b) of title 40), the Appalachian Regional Commission must decide the project fits subtitle IV of title 40. The Administrator must choose areas that will not be harmed by pollution coming from nearby places. Federal help only applies if the State gets any needed land or land rights and provides legal and practical protections to prevent future mine water pollution. Up to $30,000,000 is authorized to carry out these projects, and the money is available until spent.