Sec. 134.024. EXPERIMENTAL PRACTICES. (a) The commission, with approval by the secretary of agriculture, may authorize experimental departures, in individual cases, from the environmental protection performance standards of this chapter to:
(1) encourage advances in mining and reclamation practices; and
(2) allow postmining land use for industrial, commercial, residential, or public use, including recreational facilities.
(b) The commission may authorize departures if:
(1) the experimental practices are potentially at least as environmentally protective, during and after mining operations, as those required by this chapter;
(2) the 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
(3) the experimental practices do not reduce the protection afforded public health and safety below that provided by adopted standards.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 12.02(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Structure Texas Statutes
Chapter 134 - Texas Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act
Subchapter B. Powers and Duties of Commission
Section 134.011. General Authority of Commission
Section 134.013. Rulemaking and Permitting
Section 134.014. Coal Exploration Operations
Section 134.015. Surface Effects of Underground Mining
Section 134.016. Development of Process for Designating Areas Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining
Section 134.017. Petition for Designation
Section 134.018. Hearing on Designation
Section 134.019. Commission Statement
Section 134.020. Designation of Area as Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining
Section 134.021. Integration With Land Use Planning and Regulation Processes
Section 134.022. Prohibition on Surface Coal Mining in Certain Areas
Section 134.023. Cooperative Agreements With Federal Government
Section 134.024. Experimental Practices
Section 134.025. Certification of Blasters
Section 134.026. Monitoring, Reporting, and Inspections
Section 134.027. Monitoring of Operations That Affect Aquifers
Section 134.028. Inspection Procedure
Section 134.029. Procedure on Detection of Violation
Section 134.030. Rules Regarding Monitoring, Reporting, and Inspections