{"data":{"id":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-45-45-745.22","jurisdiction":"us-ok","citation":"Okla. Stat. tit. 45, § 45-745.22","heading":"Reclamation efforts - Variances","body":"The operator shall insure that all reclamation efforts proceed\n\nin an environmentally sound manner and as contemporaneously as\n\npracticable with the surface coal mining operations. Where the\n\napplicant proposes to combine surface mining operations with\n\nunderground mining operations to assure maximum practical recovery\n\nof the coal and other mineral resources, the Department may grant a\n\nvariance for specific areas within the reclamation plan from the\n\nrequirement that reclamation efforts proceed as contemporaneously as\n\npracticable to permit underground mining operations prior to\n\nreclamation:\n\n1. If the Department finds in writing that:\n\na. the applicant has presented, as part of the permit\n\napplication, specific, feasible plans for the proposed underground\n\nmining operations,\n\nb. the proposed underground mining operations are\n\nnecessary or desirable to assure maximum practical recovery of the\n\ncoal and other mineral resources and will avoid multiple disturbance\n\nof the surface,\n\nc. the applicant has satisfactorily demonstrated that the\n\nplan for the underground mining operations conforms to requirements\n\nfor underground mining in the jurisdiction and that permits\n\nnecessary for the underground mining operations have been issued,\n\nd. the areas proposed for the variance have been shown by\n\nthe applicant to be necessary for the implementing of the proposed\n\nunderground mining operations,\n\ne. no substantial adverse environmental damage, either on-\n\nsite or off-site, will result from the delay in completion of\n\nreclamation as required by this act, and\n\nf. provisions for the off-site storage of spoil will\n\ncomply with the requirements of this act;\n\n2. If the United States Secretary of the Interior has\n\npromulgated specific regulations to govern the granting of such\n\nvariances in accordance with the provisions of federal law, and has\n\nimposed such additional requirements as he deems necessary;\n\n3. If variances granted under the provisions of this section\n\nare to be reviewed by the Department not more than three (3) years\n\nfrom the date of issuance of the permit; and\n\n4. If liability under the bond filed by the applicant with the\n\nDepartment shall be for the duration of the underground mining\n\noperations and until the requirements of this act have been fully\n\ncomplied with.","path":["OK Code","Title 45"],"source_url":"https://www.oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os45.pdf","current_through":"2026-08-14","vintage":"open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T18:32:36Z","sha256":"72bd98c7b5e72895841fb4041492876a65ab94d7df3201c3ca01c622e07ae0cb","source_id":"us-ok","stale":false,"prev":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-45-45-745.21","next":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-45-45-745.3"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}