(a) Persons who cease surface mining activities permanently shall close or backfill or otherwise permanently reclaim all affected areas, in accordance with this chapter and the permit approved by the regulatory authority.

(b) All underground openings, equipment, structures, or other facilities not required for monitoring, unless approved by the regulatory authority as suitable for the postmining land use or environmental monitoring, shall be removed and the affected land reclaimed.

[44 FR 15395, Mar. 13, 1979, as amended at 81 FR 93392, Dec. 20, 2016; 82 FR 54979, Nov. 17, 2017]