Title 30, Mineral Lands and MiningRelease 119-102

§1301 Experimental Practices

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

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

The agency in charge, with the Secretary's approval, can allow short-term, trial exceptions to the environmental rules in sections 1265 and 1266 so new mining or land‑cleanup methods can be tested or so mined land can be used for industry, homes, or parks. Trials may be allowed only if they are at least as protective during and after mining, are no larger or more numerous than needed to test how well and how costly they are, and do not lower public health or safety protections below the rules.

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

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102