(p) Nothing in this act or regulations under this act shall be construed to permit an application for a variance which would result in less stringent land use or environmental controls or regulations

(p) Nothing in this act or regulations under this act shall be construed to permit an application for a variance which would result in less stringent land use or environmental controls or regulations of surface coal mining and reclamation operations than authorized by P.L. 95-87, as that law is worded on August 3, 1977, or the federal regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. (q) 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 director, with approval by the secretary of the interior, may authorize departures in individual cases on an experimental basis from the environmental protection performance standards promulgated by the council under this act. 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. (r) The secretary of interior, acting through the office of surface mining reclamation and enforcement, shall assist the state in the development of a state program for surface coal mining and reclamation operations which meet the requirements of this act and P.L. 95-87, and at the same time, reflect local requirements and local environmental and agricultural conditions.