(a) This section contains permitting requirements to implement §773.13. Any person who submits a permit application to conduct a surface coal mining operation on lands eligible for remining must comply with this section.

(b) Any application for a permit under this section shall be made according to all requirements of this subchapter applicable to surface coal mining and reclamation operations. In addition, the application shall—

(1) To the extent not otherwise addressed in the permit application, identify potential environmental and safety problems related to prior mining activity at the site and that could be reasonably anticipated to occur. This identification shall be based on a due diligence investigation which shall include visual observations at the site, a record review of past mining at the site, and environmental sampling tailored to current site conditions.

(2) With regard to potential environmental and safety problems referred to in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, describe the mitigative measures that will be taken to ensure that the applicable reclamation requirements of the regulatory program can be met.

[60 FR 58491, Nov. 27, 1995, as amended at 65 FR 79669, Dec. 19, 2000; 73 FR 67630, Nov. 14, 2008; 81 FR 93381, Dec. 20, 2016; 82 FR 54965, Nov. 17, 2017]