Title 30, Mineral Lands and MiningRelease 119-102
§553 Duties of Secretary; Surveys, Research, Etc.; Projects
Title 30 › CHAPTER 13 — CONTROL OF COAL-MINE FIRES › § 553
Summary
The Secretary of the Interior can study coal fires that burn on the surface or underground. The Secretary may find out what causes them, how big they are, test and develop ways to control or put them out, publish the findings, share the information, and plan and carry out projects to control or extinguish those fires.
Full Legal Text
Title 30, §553
Mineral Lands and Mining, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Secretary of the Interior, in order to effectuate the policy declared in section 551 of this title, is hereby authorized—
(a)to conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to the causes and extent of outcrop and underground fires in coal formations and the methods for control or extinguishment of such fires; to publish the results of any such surveys, investigations, and researches; and to disseminate information concerning such method; and
(b)to plan and execute projects for control or extinguishment of fires in coal formations.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
30 U.S.C. § 553
Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102