reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-611 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 6 - Deep Mine Control|Section 15-611 - Violations

    (a)    If the Department has reason to believe that a violation of this subtitle, any rules or regulations adopted under it, or the terms and conditions of a permit, including the approved mining and reclamation plan, has occurred, the Department shall serve written notice of a violation on the operator, specifying the facts constituting the apparent violation and inform the operator of his right to a hearing at a stated time and place. Subsequent to or concurrent with service of the written notice, the Department may suspend the permit or issue an order until the violation is corrected.    (b)    The hearing shall be held within 45 days after the notice is forwarded to the operator. The operator may appear at the hearing, either personally or through counsel, and present evidence on his behalf. The Department shall render a decision regarding the violation within ten days after the hearing.    (c)    The Department may revoke the permit if the violation is not corrected.    (d)    Any operator whose permit is suspended or revoked shall be denied a new permit or a renewal of the old permit to engage in mining until he has complied fully with the provisions of this subtitle, the rules and regulations adopted under it, and the terms and conditions of his permit, including any modifications and the approved mining and reclamation plan, and until he has satisfactorily corrected all previous violations.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-612 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 6 - Deep Mine Control|Section 15-612 - Bond

    (a)    (1)    After receiving notification that an application for a permit has been approved, but before commencing deep mining operations, the operator shall file a bond with the Department.        (2)    Before commencing operations on an additional opening not included in the original bond made in the application for a permit, the operator shall post an additional bond or deposit. The operator also shall submit additional information that would have been required to be included with the original application for a permit. On receipt of the additional bond or deposit and the additional material, the Secretary may issue an amended permit covering any additional opening covered by the additional bond.    (b)    The bond shall be on a form prescribed and furnished by the Department, payable to the State of Maryland, and conditioned on faithful performance of the requirements of this subtitle by the operator.    (c)    The amount of the bond shall be equal to the amount the Department determines to be the cost of reclamation of the affected area. Liability under the bond shall be for the duration of the mining operation, and for a period of five years after the mine has been completed, provided that a bond may not be fully released until all requirements of this subtitle, regulations adopted in accordance with this subtitle, and permit conditions have been met.    (d)    The bond shall be executed by the operator and by a corporate surety approved by the Department.    (e)    (1)    The operator may elect to deposit cash, a certificate of deposit from a bank that is physically located in the State or that otherwise subjects itself to the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, or negotiable bonds of the United States government with the Department in lieu of a corporate surety. The cash deposit or market value of the securities may not be less than the required sum of the bond.        (2)    On receipt of any deposit of cash or securities, the Secretary immediately shall forward it to the State Treasurer, who shall receive and hold it in the name of the State in trust for the purpose for which the deposit is made.        (3)    The operator making the deposit may demand and receive from the State Treasurer the whole or any portion of any securities so deposited, on depositing with the State Treasurer other negotiable securities of the classes specified in this section having a market value at least equal to the required sum of the bond.    (f)    On submission of the annual progress report required by § 15-615 of this subtitle, the Secretary may adjust the amount of the bond or security required from the operator to assure completion of reclamation work.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-613 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 6 - Deep Mine Control|Section 15-613 - Forfeiture of Bond or Deposit

    (a)    The performance bond or cash deposit in lieu of a bond shall be forfeited on failure of the operator to perform in the manner set forth in the authorized mining and reclamation plan and to reclaim the land as provided for in the permit or on revocation of the permit. The Department shall notify the operator by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, of its intention to initiate forfeiture proceedings. The operator has 30 days to show cause why the bond or cash deposit should not be forfeited.    (b)    If the operator shows cause, the Department shall provide a reasonable time, but not less than six months, for the operator to restore the land to comply with the permit.    (c)    If the operator fails to show cause, the bond or cash deposit shall be forfeited nisi, and the Department shall give notice of the forfeiture to the operator, to the legal owner of the land if different from the operator, and to the surety. If a showing of intention to restore in compliance with the permit is not submitted to the Department within 30 days after the forfeiture nisi, the bond or cash deposit shall be forfeited absolute.    (d)    (1)    Funds received from forfeiture on bonds shall be deposited in the Deep Mining Fund and be used to reclaim the land affected by the operation on which the liability was charged on the bond and to perform the requirements of this subtitle, regulations issued under this subtitle, and permit conditions that the operator has failed to perform.        (2)    Funds received on a forfeiture in excess of the amount required to reclaim the land affected and to perform the requirements that the operator has failed to perform may be used to reclaim any other land affected by deep mining.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-614 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 6 - Deep Mine Control|Section 15-614 - Operation After Forfeiture

    An operator may not conduct deep mining within the State if he previously has forfeited any bond posted pursuant to deep mining activities, unless, on application, the operator repays to the Department the cost of reclamation, if the Department has reclaimed the land with interest at the current rate for the time elapsed, less the amount of the forfeited bond. If the land is still unreclaimed, the operator shall reclaim the land covered by the forfeited bond at his own expense, including any additional erosional, sedimentation, or pollution damage resulting from the lack of proper reclamation during the interim.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-615 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 6 - Deep Mine Control|Section 15-615 - Monthly Progress Report; Annual Report; Updating Map Information; Surcharge; Inaccurate Maps

    (a)    By the twenty-fifth day of each month, a deep mine operator shall file a monthly progress report with the Secretary on a form furnished by the Secretary. In the report, the operator shall indicate the total area affected, number of mine openings, tonnage of coal removed, and changes in this information over previous months. An annual report shall be furnished to the Secretary not later than February 25 of each year for the preceding year covering facts the Secretary may require regarding the production and condition of the operation during the calendar year preceding. The operator also shall update the information on the maps previously supplied with the permit application.    (b)    On the basis of the approved annual and monthly progress or completion reports the Secretary shall assess a 15-cent surcharge for each ton of coal removed during the past year. Nine cents of the amounts collected from each ton of coal removed shall be retained by the Secretary and 6 cents shall be remitted directly to the county in which the coal was removed.    (c)    Every six months the operator of each mine shall cause to be accurately shown on the map and on the copies any extension of any portion of the mine, which was made during the intervening period, and any portion of the mine and mine workings, discontinued or abandoned.    (d)    If the district mine inspector reasonably believes that any map of any mine or copy furnished to him under the provisions of this section is inaccurate, he may order a survey of what he believes has been mapped incorrectly. The cost of the survey is recoverable from the operator as other debts are recoverable by law. However, if the map claimed to be inaccurate is found to be sufficiently accurate for its intended purpose, the reasonable cost of the survey is payable by the State.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-616 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 6 - Deep Mine Control|Section 15-616 - Completion Report

    (a)    Within 30 days after an operation is abandoned or completed, the operator shall file with the Department a completion report on a form prescribed and furnished by the Secretary.    (b)    The operator shall attach to the completion report:        (1)    A map of the operation certified by a surveyor or engineer that shows the boundary lines of the tract and the access to the operation from the nearest public highway;        (2)    The area of land affected by the deep mining operation; and        (3)    Details of the completed reclamation work.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-617 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 6 - Deep Mine Control|Section 15-617 - Injunctions

    On application of the Department, verified by oath, the circuit court of the county or city where the mining operation is located may enjoin compliance with or violation of any order, notice, rule, or regulation of the Department made in accordance with this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-618 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 6 - Deep Mine Control|Section 15-618 - Penalty

    Any operator who mines coal by the deep mining method without having a permit or amended permit or without providing bond as provided in this subtitle, who knowingly or intentionally includes false information in the application for a permit, or who does not fully comply with the permit or adopted rules and regulations is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-701 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 7 - Abandoned Mine Drainage Control Act|Section 15-701 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Board” means the Board of Public Works.    (c)    “Costs” means the costs of acquisition, improvement, development, rehabilitation, construction, reconstruction and development of land and facilities and its financing, including the cost of engineering and legal services, appraisals, plans, specifications, surveys, investigations, feasibility studies, estimates of costs and revenues, and other necessary or incidental capital expenditures.    (d)    “Land” means real property, including improvements, rights–of–way, water, riparian or other vested rights, easements, privileges, and any other estate or interest in real property.    (e)    “Studies” means the collection, analysis, and preparation of information, alternatives, and recommendations to permit the State or any of its political subdivisions singly or jointly to determine a course of action to meet the purposes of this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-702 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 7 - Abandoned Mine Drainage Control Act|Section 15-702 - Legislative Intent; Authority of Secretary to Prevent, Control, and Abate Water Pollution; Rules and Regulations

    (a)    It is the intention of the General Assembly to provide for the restoration of State waters affected by pollution from any abandoned mine to the quality necessary to support fish and other aquatic life, recreation, and other beneficial purposes. To accomplish this objective, the Secretary may acquire and rehabilitate land occupied or degraded by any abandoned deep or strip mine to prevent the land from contributing to water pollution and take whatever other measures are necessary to prevent, control, and abate water pollution from any abandoned mining area.    (b)    The Secretary may promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-703 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 7 - Abandoned Mine Drainage Control Act|Section 15-703 - Authority of Secretary to Implement Subtitle

    The Secretary may implement the provisions of this subtitle by methods including, but not limited to, backfilling, grading, revegetating abandoned strip mines, sealing abandoned deep mines, and controlling erosion and water drainage.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-704 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 7 - Abandoned Mine Drainage Control Act|Section 15-704 - Use of Proceeds of Mine Reclamation and Water Quality Restoration Loan of 1970; Acquisition, Sale, Transfer, Gift of Land; Abandoned Mine Drainage Capital Fund

    (a)    Proceeds from the Mine Reclamation and Water Quality Restoration Loan of 1970 shall be credited on the books of the State Comptroller to be expended exclusively to finance the costs of acquisition, improvements, or rehabilitation of land and acquisition, construction, reconstruction, extension, and improvement of facilities in connection with the prevention, control, and abatement of pollution of the waters of this State from abandoned deep or strip mines, including the prevention of drainage. The proceeds of the loan may be expended for: (1) improvement or rehabilitation, including drainage prevention, of land owned by the State or a political subdivision and occupied or degraded by an abandoned strip mine or deep mine; or (2) acquisition, improvement, or rehabilitation, including drainage prevention, of private land occupied or degraded by abandoned mines. However, the proceeds may not be used to improve, rehabilitate, or prevent drainage from any land that the State or a political subdivision does not own, unless the owner of the land contributes to the cost an amount at least equal to the increase in the value of the land resulting from improvement or rehabilitation. This amount or the manner of determining this amount and the manner of payment shall be determined by the Secretary. The owner of the land need not pay the increase in the value of the land resulting from the improvement or rehabilitation until such time as the land use is changed from agriculture or other open space use.    (b)    Land acquired under the provisions of this subtitle may be sold to a private person, retained by the State, or transferred to a political subdivision after the land has been rehabilitated and water pollution from the land has been controlled. Every purchase, sale, and/or transfer of land is by action of the Board who may promulgate rules and regulations governing the transactions. The Board may accept gifts of land from any private citizen, group, quasi-public organization, or political subdivision in order to accomplish the purposes of this subtitle. Land acquired by the State by gift, after rehabilitation and control of water pollution, either may be sold or retained by the State or transferred to a political subdivision as directed by the Board. Any money received from the sale of land acquired under this section shall be deposited in the treasury and constitutes a permanent special fund known as the “Abandoned Mine Drainage Capital Fund”. The money in the Fund may be utilized only for the same purposes as the proceeds of the loan authorized by this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-705 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 7 - Abandoned Mine Drainage Control Act|Section 15-705 - Cooperation by Department With Other State Agencies and Political Subdivisions

    The Department may cooperate with any other State unit or political subdivision and expend funds jointly for any water pollution control project undertaken under the provisions of this subtitle where the objectives of the project may be achieved better or economy realized by a cooperation and joint action, or where the cooperation and joint action is in the public interest.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-706 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 7 - Abandoned Mine Drainage Control Act|Section 15-706 - Federal Programs

    The Department may take advantage of any available federal program to augment the money it has available under the provisions of this subtitle.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-802 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 8 - Surface Mining|Section 15-802 - Legislative Intent

    (a)    The General Assembly finds and declares that:        (1)    The extraction of minerals by mining is a basic and essential activity making an important contribution to the economic well-being of the State and the nation and that this activity must be balanced against potential health, safety, and environmental effects;        (2)    All reasonable steps should be taken:            (i)    To protect these resources from encroachment by other land uses that would make these resources unavailable for future use; and            (ii)    To balance this activity against other possible land uses, including consideration of uses for surrounding properties;        (3)    Although it is not practical to extract minerals required by our society without disturbing the surface of the earth and producing waste materials and the very character of certain surface mining operations precludes complete restoration of the land to its original condition, it is possible to conduct mining in a way to minimize its effects on the surrounding environment;        (4)    Proper reclamation of mined land is necessary to prevent undesirable land and water conditions that would be detrimental to the general welfare, health, safety, beauty, and property rights of the citizens of the State;        (5)    There are certain circumstances in which surface mining is not desirable, as when the operation will have an unduly adverse effect on wildlife or freshwater, estuarine, or marine fisheries; and        (6)    The conduct of mining and reclamation of mined lands as provided by this subtitle will allow the mining of valuable minerals and provide for the protection of the State’s environment and the subsequent beneficial use of the mined and reclaimed land.    (b)    This subtitle is an exercise of the police powers of the State for the general welfare of the people of the State, by providing for the protection and conservation of the natural resources of the State and the reclamation of areas of land affected in the surface mining of metallic and nonmetallic minerals other than coal, to aid in the protection of birds and wildlife, to decrease soil erosion, to prevent pollution of rivers, streams, and lakes, to prevent loss or waste of valuable mineral resources, to prevent and eliminate hazards to health and safety, to provide for reclamation of mined areas so as to assure the use of these lands for productive purposes, and generally to provide for the continued use and enjoyment of these lands.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-803 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 8 - Surface Mining|Section 15-803 - Regulations

    (a)    The Department may adopt regulations reasonably necessary for the administration of this subtitle. Regulations shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.    (b)    In adopting regulations under this subtitle, the Department shall recognize the basic and essential resource utilization aspect of the surface mining industry and the importance of the industry to the economic well-being of the State.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-804 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 8 - Surface Mining|Section 15-804 - Review of Mineral Resources Plans

    (a)    The Department shall review mineral resources plan elements developed by local planning commissions under § 1–411 or § 3–107 of the Land Use Article to determine whether the proposed plan is consistent with the programs and goals of the Department.    (b)    The Department shall make its determination within 60 days after submission by a local planning commission.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-805 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 8 - Surface Mining|Section 15-805 - Surface Mined Land Reclamation Fund

    (a)    All funds received by the Department from license fees, permit fees, special reclamation fees, the forfeiture of bonds and of cash deposits and securities, and fines collected upon conviction of a permittee or a licensee under §§ 15–807(f) and 15–808(k) of this subtitle shall be deposited to the credit of the State Treasurer in a bank the Treasurer designates, and shall be maintained as a special fund on the books of the Comptroller of the Treasury in an account, to be known as the “Surface Mined Land Reclamation Fund”. This Fund shall be used by the Department for the administration and implementation of this subtitle, including rehabilitating the area of land affected by the operation upon which liability was charged on the bond.    (b)    For the reclamation of pre–law surface mines, the Department may use funds received from the following sources:        (1)    A forfeiture in excess of the amount required for reclaiming the area of land affected by the operation on which the liability was charged;        (2)    A forfeiture relating to land which the Department determines to be physically impossible to reclaim; and        (3)    Licensing fees, permitting fees, fines, funds received from the special reclamation fees established by § 15–808(i) of this subtitle or any other source.    (c)    The special reclamation fees and the State match established by § 15–808(i) and (j) of this subtitle shall only be used for the reclamation of pre–law surface mines.
MD. Environment Code Ann. §  15-806 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Environment|Title 15 - Mines and Mining|Subtitle 8 - Surface Mining|Section 15-806 - Surface Mine Inspectors

    The Department may employ qualified surface mine inspectors and other personnel deemed necessary by the Department to enforce the provisions of this subtitle and any rules and regulations adopted under it. The Department shall establish standards of qualification for surface mine inspectors, particularly as regards the disciplines of mining engineering, civil engineering, water quality, geology, hydrology, agronomy, forestry, biology, health, safety, and any other field deemed necessary for qualification.