Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

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Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

• By Alan Cai
• Period 4, 5/7/08

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Background to the SMCRA

• Surface mining, or mining by removing the rock
  above the mineral deposit, rose in prominence
  from 1930-1970. However, a lack of consistent
  regulation between states meant that much harm
  was being done to the environment, since mining
  companies could move to states where laws were
  less strict and costs were less as well.
• A SMCRA-like bill was first passed in 1974-1975,
  but was vetoed by President Ford, who feared of
  economic harm. However, Jimmy Carter replaced
  him soon after and passed the law in 1977. It
  was intended to be the definitive standard of
  coal mining environmental regulation.

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What does the SMCRA do?

• SMCRA is enforced by the Office of Surface
  Mining, created by the act. This office is below
  the Department of the Interior.
• SMCRA has five main components set standards for
  coal mine operation, establish a permit/approval
  system where mining companies must state what
  they plan to do during and after they mine,
  mandate bonds (secure funds) that companies need
  to pay beforehand to ensure there is enough money
  for reclamation costs, ban mining in areas like
  national parks and refuge areas, and give the
  Office of Surface Mining to inspect and punish
  operations which do not follow the regulations
  set by SMCRA.

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Images
An OSM employee inspecting a mine
States in light green either have Indian
reservations or are partially regulated by the
federal government. States with equivalent laws
are allowed to mostly regulate themselves.
The OSM logo (part of the Department of the
Interior)