{"data":{"id":"us-ms/miss.-code-ann.-53-9-5","jurisdiction":"us-ms","citation":"Miss. Code Ann. § 53-9-5","heading":"Miss. Code Ann. § 53-9-5","body":"It is the purpose of this chapter:\n\n(a) To assume for the state exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations within the state under Section 503 of the federal act;\n\n(b) To develop, implement and enforce a program which, at a minimum, will achieve the purposes of the federal act and the regulations promulgated under that act;\n\n(c) To assure that the rights of surface landowners and other persons with a legal interest in the land or appurtenances thereto are fully protected from those operations;\n\n(d) To assure that surface coal mining operations are not conducted where reclamation as required by this chapter is not feasible;\n\n(e) To assure that surface coal mining operations are conducted in a manner protective of the environment;\n\n(f) To assure that adequate procedures are undertaken to reclaim surface areas as contemporaneously as possible with the surface coal mining operations;\n\n(g) To assure that appropriate procedures are provided for public participation in the development, revision and enforcement of regulations, standards, reclamation plans or programs established by the state under this chapter;\n\n(h) To assure that the coal supply essential to the energy requirements of the state and nation and to their economic and social well-being is provided, and to strike a balance between protection of the environment and agricultural productivity and the need of the state and nation for coal as an essential source of energy; and\n\n(i) To, wherever necessary, exercise the full reach of state constitutional powers to insure the protection of the public interest through effective control of surface coal mining operations.","path":["MS Code","Title 53"],"source_url":"https://legislature.ms.gov/","current_through":"2026-08-14","vintage":"open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T18:32:17Z","sha256":"2c2c2bde3271bf217f0c20d3471bd788a9be0900906b09c8b98d87e6f17ec676","source_id":"us-ms","stale":false,"prev":"us-ms/miss.-code-ann.-53-9-49","next":"us-ms/miss.-code-ann.-53-9-51"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}