Reclamation Bonds
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) provides that, as a prerequisite for obtaining a coal mining permit, an applicant must post a reclamation bond to ensure that the regulatory authority has sufficient funds to reclaim the site in the case the permittee fails to complete the approved reclamation plan.. Under SMCRA 509(c) there are several avenues for coal mining ...