Bill sets 180-day deadline for strip mine land restoration

What does this do?

HR 9023 updates a 1977 surface coal mining law to require faster land restoration after mining ends. Companies must begin backfilling and regrading within 180 days of their last coal production, finish replanting vegetation within 36 months, and complete all major restoration before removing heavy equipment. Mines idle for more than six months without active mining or cleanup would automatically fall out of permit compliance unless the company submits an approved recovery plan within one year.

Who does it affect?

The bill primarily affects surface coal mining companies, the communities and ecosystems near those mines, and the state and federal agencies that oversee mining permits. Workers in the reclamation industry could also be affected, since faster cleanup timelines could shift when and how that work is done.

Why does it matter?

The bill tightens environmental monitoring by requiring quarterly checks of both surface water and groundwater while a mine is active or being reclaimed. Government inspectors would also be required to assess nearby stream health annually and inspect water runoff structures after any storm event as intense as a 100-year storm.

Where does it stand?