Montana Code Annotated
Part 2. Coal and Uranium Mine Reclamation
82-4-234. Commencement of reclamation

82-4-234. Commencement of reclamation. The operator shall commence the reclamation of the area of land affected by the operator's operation as soon as possible after the beginning of strip mining or underground mining of that area in accordance with plans previously approved by the department. Those grading, backfilling, subsidence stabilization, topsoiling, and water management practices that are approved in the plans must be kept current with the operation as defined by rules of the department, and a permit or supplement to a permit may not be issued if, in the discretion of the department, these practices are not current.
History: En. Sec. 13, Ch. 325, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 25, Ch. 441, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 50-1046; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 196, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 204, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 92, Ch. 324, L. 2021.

Structure Montana Code Annotated

Montana Code Annotated

Title 82. Minerals, Oil, and Gas

Chapter 4. Reclamation

Part 2. Coal and Uranium Mine Reclamation

82-4-201. Short title

82-4-202. Intent -- policy -- findings

82-4-203. Definitions

82-4-204. Repealed

82-4-205. Administration by department and board

82-4-206. Procedure for contested case hearings

82-4-207. Rulemaking -- in situ coal gasification

82-4-208. through 82-4-220 reserved

82-4-221. Mining permit required

82-4-222. Permit application -- application revisions

82-4-223. Surety bond

82-4-224. Repealed

82-4-225. Application for increase or reduction in permit area

82-4-226. Prospecting permit

82-4-227. Refusal of permit -- applicant violator system

82-4-228. Designation of land unsuitable for coal mining

82-4-229. and 82-4-230 reserved

82-4-231. Submission of and action on reclamation plan

82-4-232. Area mining required -- bond -- alternative plan

82-4-233. Planting of vegetation following grading of disturbed area

82-4-234. Commencement of reclamation

82-4-235. Determination of successful revegetation -- final bond release

82-4-236. Vegetation as property of landowner

82-4-237. Operator to file annual reports

82-4-238. Successor operator

82-4-239. Reclamation

82-4-240. Reclamation of lands after bond forfeited

82-4-241. Receipts paid into general fund -- disposition of bond forfeiture money

82-4-242. Funds received by department

82-4-243. Subsidence

82-4-244. Coal and uranium mine permitting and reclamation program account

82-4-245. through 82-4-249 reserved

82-4-250. Operating permit revocation -- permit transfer

82-4-251. Noncompliance -- suspension of permits

82-4-252. Mandamus

82-4-253. Suit for damage to water supply

82-4-254. Violation -- penalty -- waiver