In order to encourage advances in coal mining and reclamation practices and to allow postmining land use for industrial, commercial, residential, or public use, including recreational facilities, the board, with the approval of the secretary, may authorize departures in individual cases on an experimental basis from the environmental protection performance standards promulgated under sections 34-33-120 and 34-33-121. Such departures may be authorized if: The experimental practices are potentially more or at least as environmentally protective, during and after coal mining operations, as those required by promulgated standards; the coal mining operations approved for particular land use or other purposes are not larger or more numerous than necessary to determine the effectiveness and economic feasibility of the experimental practices; and the experimental practices do not reduce the protection afforded the public health and safety below that provided by promulgated standards.
Source: L. 79: Entire article added, p. 1302, § 1, effective July 1.
Structure Colorado Code
Article 33 - Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act
§ 34-33-102. Legislative Declaration
§ 34-33-105. Jurisdiction of Office and Board
§ 34-33-106. Additional Duties of Division
§ 34-33-107. Powers of Department
§ 34-33-108. Rules and Regulations - No More Stringent
§ 34-33-110. Application for Permit
§ 34-33-111. Reclamation Plan Requirements
§ 34-33-112. Small Operator Assistance
§ 34-33-113. Performance Bonds
§ 34-33-114. Permit Approval or Denial
§ 34-33-115. Revision of Permit
§ 34-33-116. Technical Revision of Permit - Regulations
§ 34-33-117. Coal Exploration Permit - Regulations
§ 34-33-118. Public Notice and Public Hearings on Complete Applications
§ 34-33-119. Permit Application Decisions of the Office - Appeals
§ 34-33-120. Environmental Protection Performance Standards - Regulations
§ 34-33-121. Surface Effects of Underground Coal Mining
§ 34-33-122. Inspections and Monitoring
§ 34-33-123. Enforcement - Civil and Criminal Penalties
§ 34-33-125. Release of Performance Bonds or Deposits
§ 34-33-126. Designating Areas Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining
§ 34-33-127. Public Agencies, Public Utilities, and Public Corporations
§ 34-33-129. Surface Coal Mining Operations Not Subject to This Article
§ 34-33-131. Informal Opinion as to Alluvial Valley Floors
§ 34-33-132. Special Coordination and Review Process - Site-Specific Agreements
§ 34-33-133. Abandoned Mine Reclamation Plan
§ 34-33-133.5. Colorado Mine Subsidence Protection Program - Rules