Sec. 503. Inspection and monitoring
625 words·~3 min read·
/bill/116/hr/2579/rh/section-503A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary concerned shall make inspections of mineral activities so as to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Act. The Secretary concerned shall establish a frequency of inspections for mineral activities conducted under a permit issued under title III xreference , but in no event shall such inspection frequency be less than one complete inspection per calendar quarter or, two per calendar quarter in the case of a permit for which the Secretary concerned approves an application under section 304(f) xreference .
After revegetation has been established in accordance with a reclamation plan, such Secretary shall conduct 2 complete inspections annually. Such Secretary shall have the discretion to modify the inspection frequency for mineral activities that are conducted on a seasonal basis. Inspections shall continue under this subsection until final release of financial assurance. Any person who has reason to believe he or she is or may be adversely affected by mineral activities due to any violation of the requirements of a permit approved under this Act may request an inspection.
The Secretary concerned shall determine within 10 working days of receipt of the request whether the request states a reason to believe that a violation exists. If the person alleges and provides reason to believe that an imminent threat to the environment or danger to the health or safety of the public exists, the 10-day period shall be waived and the inspection shall be conducted immediately. When an inspection is conducted under this paragraph, the Secretary concerned shall notify the person requesting the inspection, and such person shall be allowed to accompany the Secretary concerned or the Secretary’s authorized representative during the inspection.
The Secretary shall not incur any liability for allowing such person to accompany an authorized representative. The identity of the person supplying information to the Secretary relating to a possible violation or imminent danger or harm shall remain confidential with the Secretary if so requested by that person, unless that person elects to accompany an authorized representative on the inspection. The Secretaries shall, by joint rule, establish procedures for the review of— any decision by an authorized representative not to inspect; or any refusal by such representative to ensure that remedial actions are taken with respect to any alleged violation.
The Secretary concerned shall furnish a person requesting a review a written statement of the reasons for the Secretary’s final disposition of the case. The Secretary concerned shall require all operators to develop and maintain a monitoring and evaluation system that shall identify compliance with all requirements of a permit approved under this Act. The Secretary concerned may require additional monitoring to be conducted as necessary to assure compliance with the reclamation and other environmental standards of this Act.
Such plan must be reviewed and approved by the Secretary and shall become a part of the explorations or operations permit. The operator shall file reports with the Secretary concerned, on a frequency determined by the Secretary concerned, on the results of the monitoring and evaluation process, except that if the monitoring and evaluation show a violation of the requirements of a permit approved under this Act, it shall be reported immediately to the Secretary concerned. The Secretary shall evaluate the reports submitted pursuant to this paragraph, and based on those reports and any necessary inspection shall take enforcement action pursuant to this section.
Such reports shall be maintained by the operator and by the Secretary and shall be made available to the public. The Secretary concerned shall determine what information shall be reported by the operator pursuant to paragraph
(2)xreference . A failure to report as required by the Secretary concerned shall constitute a violation of this Act and subject the operator to enforcement action pursuant to section 506.