§1298 Alaskan Surface Coal Mine Study

Summary

The Secretary must hire the National Academy of Sciences–National Academy of Engineering to do a detailed study of surface coal mining in Alaska to see if parts of this law should be changed for Alaska. The Secretary must send the study and a draft bill for any recommended changes to the President and Congress no later than two years after August 3, 1977. Up to $250,000 is authorized for this work, but no new budget authority is allowed for fiscal year 1977. Until one year after that report is sent, or until three years after August 3, 1977, whichever comes first, the Secretary may temporarily change how environmental rules apply to Alaska surface mines that produced coal in the year before August 3, 1977, if needed to keep them operating. Before making such changes the Secretary must publish notice in the Federal Register and a local paper and hold a public hearing in Alaska. The Secretary may also issue interim rules to let new Alaska mines develop under adjusted standards that still protect the environment to the same degree as other coal regions.