This subchapter sets forth standards and procedures for the submission, review, and approval or disapproval of State programs, for coal exploration and surface coal mining and reclamation operations on non-Indian and non-Federal lands. In addition it sets forth criteria and procedures for amending approved programs, substituting Federal enforcement for State enforcement of State programs, and withdrawing approval of those programs not adequately implemented or maintained. Requirements are also included for State program grants and for the adoption of a Federal program in a State which does not have a State program or which has failed to implement, enforce or maintain an approved State program consistent with this subchapter.

As used in this subchapter unless otherwise indicated Consistent with and in accordance with mean:

(a) With regard to the Act, the State laws and regulations are no less stringent than, meet the minimum requirements of and include all applicable provisions of the Act.

(b) With regard to the Secretary's regulations, the State laws and regulations are no less effective than the Secretary's regulations in meeting the requirements of the Act.

(a) No State law or regulation shall be superseded by any provision of the Act or the regulations of this chapter, except to the extent that the State law or regulation is inconsistent with, or precludes implementation of, requirements of the Act or this chapter. The Director shall publish a notice of proposed action in the Federal Register setting forth the text or a summary of any State law or regulation initially determined by him to be inconsistent with the Act or this chapter. The notice shall provide 30 days for public comment. Following the close of the public comment period, the Director shall make a final determination which shall be published in the Federal Register.

(b) Any State law or regulation which provides for more stringent land use and environmental controls and regulations of coal exploration and surface coal mining and reclamation operations than do the provisions of the Act and this chapter, or which provides for the control and regulation of coal exploration and surface coal mining and reclamation operations for which no provision is contained in the Act or this chapter, shall not be construed to be inconsistent with the Act or this chapter.

(a) Not later than January 3, 1981, for each State in which coal exploration and surface coal mining and reclamation operations are or may be conducted on non-Federal and non-Indian land, either a State program or a Federal program adopted under this subchapter shall be in effect. However, the inability of a State to take any action the purpose of which is to prepare, submit or enforce a State program, or any part thereof, because the action is enjoined by the issuance of an injunction by any court of competent jurisdiction shall not result in the imposition of a Federal program for regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations. Regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations covered or to be covered by the State program subject to an injunction shall be conducted by the State pursuant to section 502 of the Act until such time as the injunction terminates or for one year from issuance of the injunction, whichever is shorter, at which time the requirements of sections 503 and 504 shall again be fully applicable. States in which no coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operations are in existence or planned on January 3, 1981, on non-Federal and non-Indian lands but in which such exploration or operations may occur at some later date, shall have a State or Federal program in effect before commencement of any such exploration or operations.

(b) The State shall notify the Director of the issuance of any injunction which prevents or prohibits the State from preparing, submitting or enforcing a State program or portion thereof.