This chapter does not apply to the following:

1. (1) Land on which surface coal mining operations were conducted:

   1. (A) on August 3, 1977; or

   2. (B) under a permit issued under:

      1. (i) IC 13-4.1 (before its repeal); or
      2. (ii) this article.

2. (2) Land where substantial legal and financial commitments in a surface coal mining operation were in existence before January 4, 1977.

   [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-4.1-14-5.]

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.27.