To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have the authority to use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects.

Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 with respect to the allocation of surface mining reclamation funds to states and Indian tribes, to modify limitations on the allocation of surface mining reclamation funds to states and Indian tribes to provide for payments for filling voids and sealing tunnels and entryways of non-coal mines as well as coal mines.

Requires uncertified states or Indian tribes to use such allocated funds to fill voids and seal tunnels and entryways of non-coal as well as coal mines. ("Uncertified states and Indian tribes" are those which have not certified to the Secretary of the Interior that all priorities specified under the Act for eligible lands and waters have been achieved.)

[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4817 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4817

  To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to 
clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have the authority to 
     use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 10, 2010

 Mr. Teague (for himself, Mr. Lujan, and Mr. Heinrich) introduced the 
    following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural 
                               Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to 
clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have the authority to 
     use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION.

    (a) Limitation on Funds.--Section 409(b) of the Surface Mining 
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1239(b)) is amended by 
inserting ``or section 411(h)(1)'' after ``section 402(g)''.
    (b) Use of Funds.--Section 411(h)(1)(D)(ii) of the Surface Mining 
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1240a(h)(1)(D)(ii)) is 
amended by inserting ``or 409'' after ``section 403''.
                                 <all>