The purpose of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Act is to provide a means whereby New Mexico may develop and implement a state program pursuant to Title 4 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, as amended, and thereby to enable New Mexico to receive federal assistance to promote the reclamation of mined areas left without adequate reclamation that continue, in their unreclaimed condition, to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, prevent or damage the beneficial use of land or water resources or endanger the health or safety of the public.
History: Laws 1980, ch. 87, § 2; 1992, ch. 18, § 2.
ANNOTATIONSCross references. — For Title 4 of the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, see 30 U.S.C. §§ 1231 to 1243.
The 1992 amendment, effective May 20, 1992, substituted "as amended" for "30 U.S.C. Sections 1201 through 1328 (1977)" and "that continue" for "prior to the enactment of that act and which continue" near the middle of the section.