Montana Title 82. Minerals, Oil, and Gas § 82-4-302. Purpose

(a) fulfill the responsibilities and exercise the powers delegated by Article IX, section 1(3) and 2(1) of the Montana constitution;

(b) allow mining as an activity beneficial to the economy of Montana;

(c) allow the production of minerals to meet the needs of society and the economic demands of the marketplace;

(d) provide for reclamation that mitigates postreclamation visual contrasts between reclamation lands and adjacent lands;

(e) provide for reclamation that affords some utility to humans or the environment;

(f) prevent foreclosure of future access to mineral resources not fully developed by current mining operations;

(g) mitigate or prevent undesirable offsite environmental impacts; and

(h) provide authority for cooperation between private and governmental entities in carrying this part into effect.