Public Law 83–738

to conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to

Surveys, etc.

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

to plan and execute projects for control or extinguishment

Projects.

of fires in coal formations.

on lands owned or controlled by the United States or any of its agencies, with the cooperation of the agency having jurisdiction thereof; and

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 3 (a).

As a condition to the extending of any benefits under

Requirements.

section 3 (b) of this Act 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—

The Secretary of the Interior shall require in connection with any project for the control or extinguishment of fires in any inactive coal mine on any lands not owned or controlled by the United States or any of its agencies, except where such project is necessary for the protection of lands or other property owned or controlled by the United States or any of its agencies, (1) that the State or person owning or controlling such lands contribute on a matching basis 50 per centum of the cost of planning and executing such project, or (2), if such State or person furnishes evidence satisfactory to the Secretary of the Interior of an inability to make the matching contribution herein provided for, that such State or person pay to the Government, within such period of time as the Secretary of the Interior shall determine, an amount equal to 50 per centum of the cost of planning and executing such project. At least 75 per centum of the funds expended in any fiscal year, from any appropriation available to carry out the purposes of this Act, in connection with projects for the control or extinguishment of fires in inactive coal mines where such action is not necessary for the protection of lands or other property owned or controlled by the United States or any of its agencies, shall be expended in conformity with clause (1) of this subsection.

to secure, by contract or otherwise, and without regard

Personnel.

63 Stat. 954.

5 USC 1071 note.

to the civil service laws and the Classification Act of 1949, for work of a temporary, intermittent, or emergency character, such personal services as may be deemed necessary for the efficient and economical performance of the work;

to hire, with or without personal services, work animals and

Animals, vehicles. etc.

animal-drawn and motor-propelled vehicles and equipment, at rates to be approved by the Secretary of the Interior and without regard to the provisions of section 3709, Revised Statutes (41 U. S. C., sec. 5);

to procure all or any part of the surveys, investigations,

Contracts.

and control or extinguishment work by contracts with engineers, contractors, or firms or corporations thereof;

to acquire lands or rights and interests therein, including

Acquisition of lands, etc.

improvements, by purchase, lease, gift, exchange, condemnation, or otherwise, whenever necessary for the purposes of this Act;

to repair, restore, or replace private property damaged or

Property restoration.

destroyed as a result of, or incident to, operations under this Act; and

to receive and accept money and property, real or personal,

Contributions.

or interests therein, as a gift, bequest, or contribution, for use in any of the activities authorized under this Act; and to conduct any of the activities authorized under this Act in cooperation with

Agency cooperation.

any person or agency, Federal, State, or private. Any money so received shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States in an available trust fund to be disbursed by the Secretary of the Treasury upon certification by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the terms of the grant, and shall remain available until expended for the purposes for which received and accepted.