Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 17 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 17.24 - RECLAMATION
Subchapter 17.24.3 - Strip and Underground Mine Reclamation Act: Definitions and Strip Mine Permit Application Requirements
Rule 17.24.322 - GEOLOGIC INFORMATION AND COAL CONSERVATION PLAN
Current through Register Vol. 6, March 22, 2024
(1) An application for a permit to mine coal must include a coal conservation plan to allow determination of whether failure to conserve coal may occur.
(2) The plan must include:
(3) If it is determined by the department, based on the information provided pursuant to the provisions of (1) and (2) that an operator is or will be mining all of the minable and marketable coal, no further information need be submitted. If, however, the department determines that it needs further information to make a determination, it may require the operator to submit the following:
(4) For an operator with a federal resource recovery and protection plan, the department may review all applicable coal recovery information retained by the bureau of land management, in lieu of or in addition to the information requirements under (3).
(5) Any operator or aggrieved person who believes that the department's decision to either require or not require the submission of the information contained in this rule may petition the board for a public hearing pursuant to the provisions of the Montana Administrative Procedure Act.
AUTH: 82-4-205, MCA; IMP: 82-4-222, MCA