CHAPTER 4. INTERSTATE MINING COMPACT
IC 14-35-4
Chapter 4. Interstate Mining Compact
IC 14-35-4-1
Form of compact
Sec. 1. The interstate mining compact is hereby enacted into law
and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein in
the form substantially as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Findings and Purposes
(a) The party states find that:
(1) Mining and the contributions thereof to the economy and well-being of every State are of basic significance.
(2) The effects of mining on the availability of land, water, and other resources for other uses present special problems which properly can be approached only with due consideration for the rights and interests of those engaged in mining, those using or proposing to use these resources for other purposes, and the public.
(3) Measures for the reduction of the adverse effects of mining on land, water, and other resources may be costly and the devising of means to deal with them are of both public and private concern.
(4) Such variables as soil structure and composition, physiography, climatic conditions, and the needs of the public make impracticable the application to all mining areas of a single standard for the conservation, adaptation, or restoration of mined land or the development of mineral and other natural resources, but justifiable requirements of law and practice relating to the effects of mining on land, water, and other resources may be reduced in equity or effectiveness unless they pertain similarly from state to state for all mining operation similarly situated.
(5) The states are in a position and have the responsibility to assure that mining shall be conducted in accordance with sound conservation principles and with due regard for local conditions.
(b) The purposes of this compact are to:
(1) Advance the protection and restoration of land, water, and other resources affected by mining.
(2) Assist in the reduction or elimination or counteracting of pollution or deterioration of land, water, and air attributable to mining.
(3) Encourage, with due recognition of relevant regional, physical, and other differences, programs in each of the party states which will achieve comparable results in protecting, conserving, and improving the usefulness of natural resources, to the end that the most desirable conduct of mining and related operations may be universally facilitated.
(4) Assist the party states in their efforts to facilitate the use of
land and other resources affected by the mining, so that such
use may be consistent with sound land use, public health, and
public safety, and to this end to study and recommend,
wherever desirable, techniques for the improvement,
restoration, or protection of such land and other resources.
(5) Assist in achieving and maintaining an efficient and
productive mining industry and in increasing economic and
other benefits attributable to mining.
ARTICLE 2
Definitions
As used in this compact:
(a) "Mining" means the breaking of the surface soil in order to facilitate or accomplish the extraction or removal of minerals, ores, or other solid matter, any activity or process constituting all or part of a process for the extraction or removal of minerals, ores, and other solid matter from its original location, and the preparation, washing, cleaning, or other treatment of minerals, ores, or other solid matter so as to make them suitable for commercial, industrial, or construction use; but shall not include those aspects of deep mining not having significant effect on the surface, and shall not include excavation or grading when conducted solely in aid of on site farming or construction.
(b) "State" means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
ARTICLE 3
State Programs
Each party state agrees that within a reasonable time it will formulate and establish an effective program for the conservation and use of mined land by the establishment of standards, enactment of laws, or the continuing of the same in force to accomplish:
(1) The protection of the public and the protection of adjoining and other landowners from damage to their lands and the structures and other property thereon resulting from the conduct of mining operations or the abandonment or neglect of land and property formerly used in the conduct of such operations.
(2) The conduct of mining and the handling of refuse and other mining wastes in ways that will reduce adverse effects on the economic, residential, recreational, or aesthetic value and utility of land and water.
(3) The institution and maintenance of suitable programs of adaptation, restoration, and rehabilitation of mined lands.
(4) The prevention, abatement, and control of water, air, and soil pollution resulting from mining, present, past, and future.
ARTICLE 4
Powers
In addition to any other powers conferred upon the Interstate Mining Commission established by Article 5 of this compact, such commission shall have power to:
(1) Study mining operations, processes, and techniques for the
purpose of gaining knowledge concerning the effects of such
operations, processes, and techniques on land, soil, water, air,
plant and animal life, recreation, and patterns of community or
regional development or change.
(2) Study the conservation, adaptation, improvement, and
restoration of land and related resources affected by mining.
(3) Make recommendations concerning any aspect or aspects of
law or practice and governmental administration dealing with
matters within the purview of this compact.
(4) Gather and disseminate information relating to any of the
matters within the purview of this compact.
(5) Cooperate with the federal government and any public or
private entities having interest in any subject coming within the
purview of this compact.
(6) Consult, upon the request of a party state and within
resources available therefore, with the officials of such state in
respect to any problem within the purview of this compact.
(7) Study and make recommendations with respect to any
practice, process, technique, or course of action that may
improve the efficiency of mining or the economic yield from
mining operations.
(8) Study and make recommendations relating to the
safeguarding of access to resources which are or may become
the subject of mining operations to the end that the needs of the
economy for the products of mining may not be adversely
affected by unplanned or inappropriate use of land and other
resources containing minerals or otherwise connected with
actual or potential mining sites.
ARTICLE 5
The Commission
(a) There is hereby created an agency of the party states to be known as the Interstate Mining Commission, hereinafter called "the commission". The commission shall be composed of one commissioner from each party state who shall be the governor thereof. Pursuant to the laws of Indiana the governor shall have assistance of the natural resources commission in considering problems relating to mining and in discharging his responsibilities as the commissioner of his state on the commission. In any instance where a governor is unable to attend a meeting of the commission or perform any other function in connection with the business of the commission, he shall designate an alternate, from among the members of the advisory body required by this paragraph, who shall represent him and act in his place and stead. The designation of an alternate shall be communicated by the governor to the commission in such manner as its bylaws may provide.
(b) The commissioners shall be entitled to one vote each on the commission. No action of the commission making a recommendation pursuant to Article 4(3), 4(7), and 4(8) or requesting, accepting, or disposing of funds, services, or other property pursuant to this paragraph, Article 5(g), Article 5(h), or Article 7 shall be valid unless
taken at a meeting at which a majority of the total number of votes
on the commission is cast in favor thereof. All other action shall be
by a majority of those present and voting: provided that action of the
commission shall be only at a meeting at which a majority of the
commissioners, or their alternates, is present. The commission may
establish and maintain such facilities as may be necessary for the
transacting of its business. The commission may acquire, hold, and
convey real and personal property and any interest therein.
(c) The commission shall have a seal.
(d) The commission shall elect annually, from among its
members, a chairman, a vice chairman, and a treasurer. The
commission shall appoint an executive director and fix his duties and
compensation. Such executive director, shall serve at the pleasure of
the commission. The executive director, the treasurer, and such other
personnel as the commission shall designate shall be bonded. The
amount or amounts of such bond or bonds shall be determined by the
commission.
(e) Irrespective of the civil service, personnel, or other merit
system laws of any of the party states, the executive director, with
the approval of the commission, shall appoint, remove, or discharge
such personnel as may be necessary for the performance of the
commission's functions and shall fix the duties and compensation of
such personnel.
(f) The commission may establish and maintain independently or
in conjunction with a party state a suitable retirement system for its
employees. Employees of the commission shall be eligible for Social
Security coverage in respect to old age and survivor's insurance
provided that the commission takes such steps as may be necessary
pursuant to the laws of the United States to participate in such
program of insurance as a governmental agency or unit. The
commission may establish and maintain or participate in such
additional programs of employee benefits as it may deem
appropriate.
(g) The commission may borrow, accept, or contract for the
services of personnel from any state, the United States, or any other
governmental agency, or from any person, firm, association, limited
liability company, or corporation.
(h) The commission may accept for any of its purposes and
functions under this compact any and all donations and grants of
money, equipment, supplies, materials, and service, conditional or
otherwise, from any state, the United States, or any other
governmental agency or from any person, firm, association, limited
liability company, or corporation and may receive, utilize, and
dispose of the same. Any donation or grant accepted by the
commission pursuant to this paragraph or services borrowed pursuant
to paragraph (g) of this Article shall be reported in the annual report
of the commission. Such report shall include the nature, amount, and
conditions, if any, of the donation, grant, or services borrowed and
the identity of the donor or lender.
(i) The commission shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its
business and shall have the power to amend and rescind these
bylaws. The commission shall publish its bylaws in convenient form
and shall file a copy thereof and a copy of any amendment thereto,
with the appropriate agency or officer in each of the party states.
(j) The commission annually shall make to the governor,
legislature, and advisory body required by Article 5(a) of each party
state a report covering the activities of the commission for the
preceding year and embodying such recommendations as may have
been made by the commission. The commission may make such
additional reports as it may deem desirable.
ARTICLE 6
Advisory, Technical, and Regional Committees
The commission shall establish such advisory, technical, and regional committees as it may deem necessary, membership on which shall include private persons and public officials, and shall cooperate with and use the services of any such committees and the organizations which the members represent in furthering any of its activities. Such committees may be formed to consider problems of special interest to any party states, problems dealing with particular commodities or types of mining operations, problems related to reclamation, development, or use of mined land, or any other matters of concern to the commission.
ARTICLE 7
Finance
(a) The commission shall submit to the governor or designated officer or officers of each party state a budget of its estimated expenditures for such period as may be required by the laws of that party state for presentation to the legislature thereof.
(b) Each of the commission's budgets of estimated expenditures shall contain specific recommendations of the amount or amounts to be appropriated by each of the party states. The total amount of appropriations requested under any such budget shall be apportioned among the party states as follows: one-half in equal shares, and the remainder in proportion to the value of minerals, ores, and other solid matter mined. In determining such values, the commission shall employ such available public source or sources of information as, in its judgement, present the most equitable and accurate comparisons among the party states. Each of the commission's budgets of estimated expenditures and request for appropriations shall indicate the source or sources used in obtaining information concerning value of minerals, ores, and other solid matter mined.
(c) The commission shall not pledge the credit of any party state. The commission may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part with funds available to it under Article 5(h) of this compact; provided that the commission takes specific action setting aside such funds prior to incurring any obligation to be met in whole or in part in such manner. Except where the commission makes use of funds available to it under Article 5(h) of this compact, the commission shall not incur any obligation prior to the allotment of funds by the party states adequate to meet the same. (d) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be audited yearly by a qualified public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission.
(e) The accounts of the commission shall be open at any reasonable time for inspection by duly constituted officers of the party states and by any persons authorized by the commission.
(f) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent commission compliance with laws relating to audit or inspection of accounts by or on behalf of any government contributing to the support of the commission.
ARTICLE 8
Entry Into Force and Withdrawal
(a) This compact shall enter into force when enacted into law by any four or more states. Thereafter, this compact shall become effective as to any other state upon its enactment thereof.
(b) Any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same, but no such withdrawal shall take effect until one year after the governor of the withdrawing state has given notice in writing of the withdrawal to the governors of all other party states. No withdrawal shall affect any liability already incurred by or chargeable to a party state prior to the time of such withdrawal.
ARTICLE 9
Effect on Other Laws
Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit, repeal, or supersede any other law of any party state.
ARTICLE 10
Construction and Severability
This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state participating herein, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining party states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.28.
IC 14-35-4-2
Natural resources commission as advisory body
Sec. 2. The natural resources commission is the advisory body
referred to in Article 5(a) of the Interstate Mining Compact.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.28.
IC 14-35-4-3
Filing bylaws and amendments
Sec. 3. In accordance with Article 5(i) of the Interstate Mining
Compact, the Interstate Mining Commission shall file copies of its
bylaws and amendments to the bylaws with the following:
(1) The office of the governor.
(2) The division of reclamation.
(3) The department of natural resources.
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.28.