§ 15-58-201 - Department -- Jurisdiction, powers, and duties.
15-58-201. Department -- Jurisdiction, powers, and duties.
(a) The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality is designated as the official agency whose duty it is to establish policies and guidelines, to administer the guidelines contained in this chapter, and to institute other reasonable regulations and guidelines as they become necessary pursuant to this chapter. The rules and regulations may provide differing terms and provisions for particular conditions, particular mining techniques, types of coal, particular areas of the state, surface mines, and the surface impacts of underground mines or any other differences which appear relevant and necessary so long as the action taken is consistent with attainment of the general intent and purposes of this chapter.
(b) Exclusive jurisdiction over those aspects of surface coal mining and reclamation operations in this state regulated by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Pub. L. No. 95-87, shall be vested in the department.