(1) Fossils have scientific and educational value 
and it is in the national interest to preserve and pro-
tect sites of paleontological significance. 
(2) The former Union Chapel Mine site is a 
paleontologically significant site that has been the 
focus of an extensive collaborative effort over the 
past 21⁄2 years by amateur collectors and profes-
sional paleontologists from the Geological Survey of 
Alabama, the University of Alabama, Emory Univer-
sity, the University of Florida, and the University of 
South Alabama. 
(3) The former Union Chapel Mine site is sig-
nificant because it has yielded an unusually large 
quantity of rare pre-dinosaur fossil trackways dating 
from the early Pennsylvanian Period (approximately 
310 million years ago, about 100 million years be-
fore the first dinosaurs). 
(4) Material obtained from spoil piles at the 
former Union Chapel Mine site includes over 1,300 
vertebrate and invertebrate tracks, some new to 
science, as well as a wide array of fossil plants. The 
trackways are due mainly to primitive amphibians, 
horseshoe crabs, and other arthropods. These tracks 
now comprise the largest collection of specimens doc-
umenting the existence of these animals in north 
central Alabama during the Coal Age. 
(5) An extensive photographic database of over 
1,800 digital images has been compiled using mate-
rial from the former Union Chapel Mine site. 
(6) At least 4 presentations at scientific meet-
ings have been delivered relating to findings at the 
site and a monograph and 2 manuscripts for publi-
cation in scientific journals are being prepared. 
(7) It is estimated by geologists working at the 
former Union Chapel Mine site that far more fossil 
material exists within the remaining spoil piles at 
the site and that undisturbed tracks and other trace 
fossils within the adjoining high wall may constitute 
an unparalleled resource for scientific exploration of 
this ancient ecosystem. 
(8) The former Union Chapel Mine site has 
now been recognized by international experts in the 
field as the most important Coal Age footprint site 
in the world. 
(c) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are the fol-
lowing: 
(1) To grant a permanent exemption from the 
requirements of the Surface Mining Control and 
Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.),
for further reclamation of the site to the owner of 
the former Union Chapel Mine site. 
(2) To authorize the complete restoration of 
funds held in escrow regarding the former Union 
Chapel Mine site to the New Acton Coal Mining 
Company, Inc. 
(d) APPLICATION OF CERTAIN LAW.—The require-
ments of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 
of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.), shall not apply to the 
owner of the former Union Chapel Mine site regarding 
further reclamation of that site. 
(e) RETURN OF FUNDS IN ESCROW.—All funds held 
in escrow on the date of the enactment of this Act pending 
further reclamation of the former Union Chapel Mine site 
by the Director of the Surface Coal Mining Commission 
of the State of Alabama may be returned to the New 
Acton Coal Mining Company, Inc. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Inte-
rior $500,000 for the following: 
(1) To preserve and protect the paleontological 
resources located within the exterior boundaries of 
the former Union Chapel Mine site. 
(2) To provide opportunities for scientific re-
search in a manner compatible with paragraph (1).