1. U.S. Code
  2. title 30
  3. chapter 13
  4. § 554

Collapse to view only § 554. Lands subject to chapter

§ 551. Declaration of policy

It is recognized that outcrop and underground fires in coal formations involve serious wastage of the fuel resources of the Nation, and constitute a menace to the health and safety of the public and to surface property. It is therefore declared to be the policy of the Congress to provide for the control and extinguishment of outcrop and underground coal fires and thereby to prevent injuries and loss of life, protect public health, conserve natural resources, and to preserve public and private surface property.

(Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1156, § 1, 68 Stat. 1009.)

CITE AS: 30 USC 551

§ 552. Definitions

As used in this chapter:

“Coal” means any of the recognized classifications and ranks of coal, including anthracite, bituminous, semibituminous, subbituminous, and lignite.

“Outcrop” means any place where a formation is visible or substantially exposed at the surface.

“Formation” means any vein, seam, stratum, bed, or other naturally occurring deposit.

“Coal mine” means any underground, surface, or strip mine from which coal is obtained.

“State” means any State or Territory of the United States, or any political subdivision thereof.

“Person” means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, legal representative, or any organized group of persons.

(Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1156, § 2, 68 Stat. 1009.)

CITE AS: 30 USC 552

§ 553. Duties of Secretary; surveys, research, etc.; proj­ects
The Secretary of the Interior, in order to effectuate the policy declared in section 551 of this title, is hereby authorized—
(a) to conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to the causes and extent of outcrop and underground fires in coal formations and the methods for control or extinguishment of such fires; to publish the results of any such surveys, investigations, and researches; and to disseminate information concerning such method; and
(b) to plan and execute projects for control or extinguishment of fires in coal formations.
(Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1156, § 3, 68 Stat. 1009.)

CITE AS: 30 USC 553

§ 554. Lands subject to chapter
The acts authorized in section 553 of this title may be performed—
(a) on lands owned or controlled by the United States or any of its agencies, with the cooperation of the agency having jurisdiction thereof; and
(b) on any other lands, upon obtaining proper consent or the necessary rights or interests in such lands: Provided, however, That expenditure of Federal funds for this purpose in any privately owned operating coal mine shall be limited to the acts authorized in section 553(a) of this title.
(Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1156, § 4, 68 Stat. 1009.)

CITE AS: 30 USC 554

§ 555. Conditions precedent for aid to non-Federal lands
(a) Enactment of local laws; agreements
As a condition to the extending of any benefits under section 553(b) of this title to any lands not owned or controlled by the United States or any of its agencies, except where such action is necessary for the protection of lands or other property owned or controlled by the United States or any of its agencies, the Secretary of the Interior may require—
(1) the enactment of State or local laws providing for the control and extinguishment of outcrop and underground fires in coal formations on State or privately owned land and the cooperation of State or local authorities in the work; and
(2) agreements or covenants as to the performance and maintenance of the work required to control or extinguish such fires.
(b) Contributions
(Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1156, § 5, 68 Stat. 1010.)

CITE AS: 30 USC 555

§ 556. Administration
In carrying out the provisions of section 553 of this title the Secretary of the Interior is authorized—
(a) Employment of personnel
(b) Employment of equipment
(c) Contractual authority
(d) Acquisition of lands, etc.
(e) Property restoration
(f) Contributions; cooperation with other agencies; disposition of moneys
(Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1156, § 6, 68 Stat. 1010.)

CITE AS: 30 USC 556

§ 557. Rules and regulations

The Secretary of the Interior may issue rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1156, § 7, 68 Stat. 1011.)

CITE AS: 30 USC 557

§ 558. Authorization of appropriations

There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums,1

1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
as may be necessary to carry out the provisions and purposes of this chapter.

(Aug. 31, 1954, ch. 1156, § 8, 68 Stat. 1011; Pub. L. 102–486, title XXV, § 2504(d)(3), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3106.)

CITE AS: 30 USC 558