1. A. This regulation applies to any person who conducts or intends to conduct steep slope surface coal mining and reclamation operations. “Steep slope” means any slope of 20 degrees or more. This regulation does not apply to operations on predominantly flat or gently rolling terrain, but on which an occasional steep slope is encountered as the mining operation proceeds.

2. B. The Bureau will not issue a permit for surface mining activities on slopes of 20 degrees or more unless the application contains sufficient information to demonstrate that the following requirements will be met:

   1. (1) The mining operation will be conducted on lands containing a previously orphaned surface or deep mining operation;
   2. (2) The Land Reclamation Committee finds that the land can be restored to its original contour; and
   3. (3) The Bureau finds, in writing, that in addition to meeting all other requirements of the Regulatory Program, the operation will be conducted in accordance with the requirements for operations on steep slopes, as contained in COMAR 26.20.24.04.

Authority: Environment Article, §15-503, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01 and .02—.10 were previously codified as COMAR 08.13.09.03 Introduction and A—I, respectively. Recodification occurred in April, 1993. For a history of these regulations before April, 1993, see "Administrative History of COMAR 08.13.09 before April, 1993" which follows COMAR 26.20.01.

Chapter recodified from COMAR 08.20.03 to COMAR 26.20.03, June 1996

Regulation .05I amended effective July 8, 2002 (29:13 Md. R. 993)

Regulation .07 amended effective May 8, 2006 (33:9 Md. R. 797)