2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 20 - EXECUTIVE BRANCH › 20 ILCS 1920/ - Abandoned Mined Lands and Water Reclamation Act. › Article I - General Provisions

(20 ILCS 1920/Art. I heading)
ARTICLE I:  
		GENERAL PROVISIONS
(20 ILCS 1920/1.01) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 8001.01)
Sec. 1.01. 
		Short Title. 
		This Act may be cited as the
 Abandoned Mined Lands and Water Reclamation Act.
(Source: P.A. 86-1475.)
(20 ILCS 1920/1.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 8001.02)
Sec. 1.02. 
		Legislative Declaration. 
		(a) It is the policy of this State
to provide for the conservation and reclamation of lands and water affected
by mining which have been abandoned, in order to restore these abandoned
lands and waters to such productive use, in accordance with this State's
conservation and land reclamation policies, as will aid in maintaining or
improving the property tax base, protect the health, safety and general
welfare of the people, promote the natural beauty and aesthetic values of
this State and enhance the environment, and correct and prevent soil erosion,
stream pollution, water, air and land pollution, and other injurious effects
to persons, property, wildlife and natural resources.
(b) It is the purpose of this Act to implement these policies in a way
which satisfies the requirements of the federal Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977, P. L. 95-87, as amended, and which makes this State
eligible for funds for reclamation of abandoned lands and waters under that Act.
(Source: P.A. 81-1020.)
(20 ILCS 1920/1.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 8001.03)
Sec. 1.03. 
		Definitions. 
		As used in this Act, unless the context
otherwise requires:
(1) "Abandoned lands" means any land and water which     were mined for coal or which were affected by such mining, wastebanks, coal processing, or other coal mining processes, and abandoned or left in an inadequate reclamation status prior to August 3, 1977, and for which there is no continuing reclamation responsibility under State or Federal laws.  "Abandoned lands" also means, in the appropriate context, lands and water eligible for reclamation under Section 2.11 and Section 2.13 of this Act.
(2) "Department" means the Department of Natural     Resources, successor to the Abandoned Mined Lands Reclamation Council as provided in the Department of Natural Resources Act.
(3) "Federal Act" means the Federal Surface Mining     Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-87).
(4) "Person" means an individual, partnership,     co-partnership, firm, joint venture, company, corporation, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, political subdivision, or any other public or private legal entity, or their legal representative, agent or assigns.
(5) "Reclamation" means the restoration of abandoned     lands and waters to constructive uses, including, but not limited to forests, grasses and legumes, row crops, wildlife and aquatic reserves and recreational, residential and industrial sites, and abatement, control or prevention of adverse effects of coal mining.
(6) "Section" means a Section of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)
(20 ILCS 1920/1.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 8001.04)
Sec. 1.04. 
		(Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 88-553. Repealed by P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)
(20 ILCS 1920/1.05) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 8001.05)
Sec. 1.05. 
		Creation of Program. 
		The Department shall
administer a program for the reclamation of abandoned
lands and waters in accordance with this Act.  The program shall be
administered to provide the most effective use in this State of abandoned mine
reclamation funds under the Federal Act.
(Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)