Opinion ID: 392158
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Secretary's Role in Approving and Overseeing a State Program

Text: 18 Once the state has assumed all these functions, the Secretary's role is primarily one of oversight. The statute requires occasional federal on-site inspections to evaluate the administration of approved State programs. Act § 517(a). Interested persons may also report suspected violations of the Act or of state-imposed permit conditions to the Secretary, and if he has reason to believe the allegations he must notify the state regulatory authority. Act § 521(a). If the state fails to take appropriate action, the Secretary is to order a federal inspection of the mine site. Id. Violations that threaten imminent environmental harm are to be halted by a cessation order from the Secretary. Act § 521(a)(2). 19 The Secretary's oversight function is shared in part by the public, which is given the right to sue in federal court, to compel compliance with the state program and its permits. Act § 520. Both the Secretary and the public have access to a large body of information, including nonconfidential permit application information, to facilitate this enforcement role. Act §§ 507(e), 517(f); see 30 C.F.R. § 840.14 (1979). 20 The Secretary's ultimate power over lax state enforcement is set out in section 521(b) of the Act. When the Secretary determines that violations result from a state's lack of intent or capability to enforce the state program, he is to enforce permit conditions directly, and to take over the entire permit-issuing process himself. 21 Direct intervention by the Secretary in the operation of state regulatory programs is clearly intended as an extraordinary remedy. See H.R.Rep.No. 218, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. 129 (1977), reprinted in (1977) U.S. Code Cong. & Ad. News 593, 661. The Secretary's primary means of guaranteeing effective state programs lies in his approval function at the beginning of the process. 22 A state wishing to take over regulatory responsibility for administering the Act within its borders must submit a proposed state program to the Secretary for his approval. Act § 503. The Secretary may only approve a program if he determines that the state has the capability of carrying out the provisions of this Act and meeting its purposes. Act § 503(a). The proposed state program must include a State law which provides for the effective implementatio(n), maintenance, and enforcement of a permit system, Act § 503(a)(4), and rules and regulations consistent with regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to this Act, Act § 503(a)(7). The Secretary is required to hold a public hearing, to solicit the views of other federal agencies, and to obtain the written concurrence of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to certain aspects of the state program. Act § 503(b). 23