§905.1. Abandoned mine reclamation; fund participation

            A. The commissioner is authorized to take all action necessary to ensure Louisiana's participation to the fullest extent practicable in the abandoned mines reclamation fund established by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., as amended, and the office of conservation of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources shall function as the state's agency for participation. Pursuant to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., as amended, the commissioner shall by rule establish priorities that meet the terms of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., as amended, and applicable federal regulations for the expenditure of those funds; designate the land and water eligible for reclamation or abatement expenditures; submit reclamation plans, annual projects, and applications to the appropriate authorities; undertake emergency reclamation projects pursuant to the terms of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., as amended, and applicable federal regulations; and administer all money received for abandoned mine reclamation or related purposes.

            B.(1) The following funds shall be deposited immediately upon receipt into the state treasury:

            (a) Monies granted by the secretary of the United States Department of the Interior for purposes of this Chapter.

            (b) Monies appropriated by the legislature for purposes of this Chapter.

            (c) Monies donated from sources, including but not limited to persons, corporations, or associations, for purposes of this Chapter, except as provided in Article VII, Section 9(A)(1) of the Constitution of Louisiana.

            (d) Monies recovered through liens filed against privately owned land under this Chapter.

            (e) Fines collected from violations of this Chapter, or any rule, regulation, or order issued under this Chapter.

            (2) After compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, and prior to monies being placed in the state general fund, an amount equal to that deposited as required by this Subsection shall be credited to the office of conservation.

            C. Appropriation of monies by the legislature from these funds shall be for expenditures on eligible lands and water with priority given first to addressing the impacts of past coal mining practices and then to the impacts of past solid mineral development.

            D. Lands and water eligible for reclamation or drainage abatement expenditures under this Section are those which were mined, or which were affected by such mining, abandoned or left in an inadequate reclamation status, and for which there is no continuing reclamation responsibility under state or federal laws.

            Added by Acts 1983, No. 573, §1; Acts 2008, No. 278, §1; Acts 2023, No. 150, §5, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.