Texas Natural Resources Code - NAT RES § 134.020. Designation of Area as Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining

(1) be incompatible with existing state or local land use plans or programs;

(2) affect fragile or historic land in which the operations could result in significant damage to important historic, cultural, scientific, and aesthetic values and natural systems;

(3) affect renewable resource lands, including aquifers and aquifer recharge areas, in which the operations could result in a substantial loss or reduction of long-range productivity of water supply or of food or fiber products; or

(4) affect natural hazard land, including areas subject to frequent flooding and areas of unstable geology, in which the operations could substantially endanger life and property.

(1) for which substantial legal and financial commitments in a surface coal mining operation or proposed operation were in existence before January 4, 1977;

(2) on which surface coal mining operations were being conducted on August 3, 1977; or

(3) on which surface coal mining operations are being conducted under a permit issued under this chapter.