Chapter 21B

Section 1. This chapter shall be known as the Coal Mining Regulatory and Reclamation Act and shall govern all coal mining operations which are conducted in the commonwealth.

Section 10. Whenever the commissioner makes a finding of fact that a mine fire, refuse bank fire or subsidence resulting from mining is at a stage where immediate action is necessary and an emergency exists and no other person or agency is acting to control the condition, and the…

Section 11. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations which will protect the quality of water and water table throughout the commonwealth. Such rules and regulations shall include a reclamation policy that will maintain reasonable stability of the water level and wa…

Section 12. Whenever a mine is abandoned or closed, the owner shall make a final survey of all workings not represented on the maps and plans of such mine, and shall properly enter the results upon the maps of the mine so as to show the exact relations of the most advanced workin…

Section 13. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to supercede any local zoning regulations.

Section 14. Any public official authorized by the commissioner of any municipality in which coal mining is occurring shall have the right to inspect any of the mined or affected areas in the course of the normal performance of his duties.

Section 15. Any person who violates the conditions of sections three, four and five shall be punished by a fine of five thousand dollars plus an additional one thousand dollars per acre for each acre of land affected by such violations. Any person who violates the provisions of a…

Section 2. As used in this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:— ''Abandoned workings'', excavations either caved or sealed that are deserted and in which no further mining is intended. ''Commissioner'', the…

Section 3. The department shall be charged with duties of protecting the citizens and environment of the commonwealth from significant damage or public health hazard that may occur because of the operation of coal mines in the commonwealth. The department shall adopt rules and re…

Section 4. Any person desiring to conduct an exploration for coal in the commonwealth shall file with the commissioner an application for a license to conduct exploration operations for coal. Each application for said exploration license shall be accompanied by a fee to be determ…

Section 5. The commissioner shall issue a license to conduct coal mining operations before any extraction of coal can begin in the commonwealth. The application for a coal mining license shall include the following procedures and requirements: (a) a detailed description of the ty…

Section 6. No license to mine shall be granted for a period exceeding eight years, and a license to mine shall be terminated, after a public hearing, if no mining operation has begun within two years of the date of issue of the license. After a public hearing a valid mining licen…

Section 7. The commissioner is hereby authorized to make such examinations and investigations as may enable him to report on the various systems of coal mining in the commonwealth, method of mining, ventilation and machinery employed, the circumstances and responsibilities of min…

Section 8. The commissioner is authorized to appoint qualified coal mining inspectors to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner shall establish qualifications that shall include a working knowledge of geology, engineering and anthracite coal mining. Any mining…

Section 9. Upon receipt of a cease-work order the commissioner shall immediately appoint a special investigating commission. The commission shall immediately and before the end of the second day after its appointment make a full investigation and make a determination whether to a…