Since 1977, the Division has permitted, bonded, inspected and enforced coal mining regulations in Iowa. Twenty-eight coal permits issued by the Division since 1977 remain intact and continue to require some level of reclamation. These permitted sites are located in Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, and Lucas Counties. Still pending bankruptcies of two Iowa coal companies will require forfeiture of reclamation bonds held by the Division at twenty-one of those sites. Completion of reclamation at forfeiture sites requires that the Division first forfeit the bond in order to obtain funds to do the needed reclamation work.
Surety companies have the option of performing the work themselves in lieu of forfeiture.
Once bond forfeiture has been completed, funds received can then be used to let bids with a third party contractor to complete the reclamation plan specified in the permit. Iowa is one of twenty-five coal states that hold primacy for the regulation of coal mining.