Code of Alabama
Article 3 - Surface Mining Control and Reclamation.
Section 9-16-97 - Water Rights.

(a) Nothing in this article shall be construed as affecting in any way the right of any person to enforce or protect, under applicable law, his interest in water resources affected by a surface coal mining operation.
(b) The operator of a surface coal mine shall replace the water supply of an owner of interest in real property who obtains all or part of his supply of water for domestic, agricultural, industrial, or other legitimate use from an underground or surface source where such supply has been affected by contamination, diminution, or interruption proximately resulting from such surface coal mine operation.

Structure Code of Alabama

Code of Alabama

Title 9 - Conservation and Natural Resources.

Chapter 16 - Mineral Resources.

Article 3 - Surface Mining Control and Reclamation.

Section 9-16-70 - Short Title.

Section 9-16-71 - Declaration of Public Policy and Legislative Intent; All Land Surface Mined Under This Article Shall Be Reclaimed.

Section 9-16-72 - Definitions.

Section 9-16-73 - Surface Mining Commission - Creation; Composition; Officers; Compensation; Meetings; Offices; Funds; Removal of Members.

Section 9-16-74 - Surface Mining Commission - Powers.

Section 9-16-75 - Adoption of Rules Pursuant to Alabama Administrative Procedure Act; Written Notification of Commission's Rulemaking Activities.

Section 9-16-76 - Conflict of Interest; Penalty.

Section 9-16-77 - Division of Hearings and Appeals.

Section 9-16-78 - Hearing Officer; Powers; Witness Fees.

Section 9-16-79 - Hearings and Appeals Procedure.

Section 9-16-80 - Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Division - Creation; Director; Chief; Transfer of Books, Records, Powers, Rights, and Personnel.

Section 9-16-81 - Licenses Required; Application; Qualifications; Fees.

Section 9-16-82 - Permits - Required; Term; Successor in Interest; Termination; Renewal; Application.

Section 9-16-83 - Permits - Contents of Application; Reclamation Plan; Copy of Application Filed for Public Inspection; Insurance; Blasting Plan.

Section 9-16-84 - Reclamation Plans; Contents.

Section 9-16-85 - Permits - Approval or Denial by Authority; Filing of Violation Schedule; Issuance to Mine on Prime Farm Land.

Section 9-16-86 - Permits - Revisions; Application; Revision or Modification by Authority.

Section 9-16-87 - Permits - Coal Exploration.

Section 9-16-88 - Permits - Review and Appeal of Applications.

Section 9-16-89 - Performance Bonds and Bond Releases.

Section 9-16-90 - Environmental Protection Performance Standards.

Section 9-16-91 - Surface Effects of Underground Coal Mining; Requirements; Remedies.

Section 9-16-92 - Inspections; Authority to Inspect Records, Equipment, Premises; etc.; Violations; Maintenance of Records, etc., by Permittee; Authority to Enter Upon All Lands of the State.

Section 9-16-93 - Violations; Inspection by Authority; Remedial Actions; Hearing; Action by Attorney General.

Section 9-16-94 - Penalties.

Section 9-16-95 - Citizens' Actions; Attorneys, etc., Fees Allowed as Damages.

Section 9-16-96 - Designation of Areas Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining; Right to Petition; Review and Public Hearing; Areas Exempt From Mining Operations.

Section 9-16-97 - Water Rights.

Section 9-16-98 - Experimental Practices.

Section 9-16-99 - Surface Mining Operations Not Subject to This Article.

Section 9-16-100 - Confidentiality of Records.

Section 9-16-101 - Leases of Certain Lands.

Section 9-16-102 - Reports of Certain Coal Sales.

Section 9-16-103 - Alabama Surface Mining Fund.

Section 9-16-104 - Reimbursement and Funding.

Section 9-16-105 - Constitutionality and Validity of Article.

Section 9-16-106 - Provisions Cumulative; Certain Laws Not Repealed.

Section 9-16-107 - Effective Date.