Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 30, § 905.1. Abandoned mine reclamation; fund participation

A. The secretary is authorized to take all action necessary to ensure Louisiana's participation to the fullest extent practicable in the abandoned mines reclamation fund established by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., as amended, and the Department of Conservation and Energy shall function as the state's agency for participation. Pursuant to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., as amended, the secretary shall by rule establish priorities that meet the terms of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., as amended, and applicable federal regulations for the expenditure of those funds; designate the land and water eligible for reclamation or abatement expenditures; submit reclamation plans, annual projects, and applications to the appropriate authorities; undertake emergency reclamation projects pursuant to the terms of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., as amended, and applicable federal regulations; and administer all money received for abandoned mine reclamation or related purposes.

C. Appropriation of monies by the legislature from these funds shall be for expenditures on eligible lands and water with priority given first to addressing the impacts of past coal mining practices and then to the impacts of past solid mineral development.

D. Lands and water eligible for reclamation or drainage abatement expenditures under this Section are those which were mined, or which were affected by such mining, abandoned or left in an inadequate reclamation status, and for which there is no continuing reclamation responsibility under state or federal laws.