Volume 69 · 353
Public Law 84–162
To provide for the conservation of anthracite coal resources through measures of flood control and anthracite mine drainage, and for other purposes.
Approved July 15, 1955
Statutory text
AN ACT
To provide for the conservation of anthracite coal resources through measures of flood control and anthracite mine drainage, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That it is hereby recognized that the presence of large volumes of water in anthracite coal formations involves serious wastage of the fuel resources of the Nation, and constitutes a menace to health and safety and national security. It is therefore declared to be the policy of the Congress to provide for the control and drainage of water in the anthracite coal formations and thereby conserve natural resources, promote national security, prevent injuries and loss of life, and preserve public and private property.
Sec. 2.
The Secretary of the Interior is authorized, in order to carry
U. S. contributions to Pennsylvania.
out the above-mentioned purposes, to make financial contributions on the basis of programs or projects approved by the Secretary, to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (hereinafter designated as the “Commonwealth”) for control and drainage of water which, if not so controlled or drained, will cause the flooding of anthracite coal formations, said contributions to be applied to the cost of drainage works, pumping plants, and related facilities but subject, however, to the following conditions and limitations:
The amounts authorized to be contributed by the Secretary of
Matching amounts.
the Interior to the Commonwealth shall be equally matched by the Commonwealth;
The total amount of contributions by the Secretary of the Interior under the authority of this Act shall not exceed $8,50(1,000;
The amounts contributed by the Secretary of the Interior under the authority of this Act and the equally matched amounts contributed by the Commonwealth shall not be used for operating and maintaining projects constructed pursuant to this Act;
The Commonwealth shall have full responsibility for installing,
Installations, etc.
operating, and maintaining projects constructed pursuant to this Act, and shall give evidence, satisfactory to the Secretary of the Interior, that it will enforce effective installation, operation, and maintenance safeguards; and
Projects constructed pursuant to this Act shall be so located, operated, and maintained as to provide the maximum conservation of anthracite coal resources and, where possible, to avoid creating inequities among those mines which may be affected by the waters to be controlled thereby.
Sec. 3.
The Commonwealth shall furnish to the Secretary of the
Statement.
Interior a statement with respect to the project showing work done, the status of the project, expenditures and amounts obligated, at such times and in such detail as the Secretary of the Interior shall require for the purposes of this Act.
Sec. 4.
Whenever the Secretary of the Interior, after reasonable
Withholding of payments.
notice and opportunity for hearing, finds that there is a failure to expend funds in accordance with the terms and conditions governing the Federal contribution for such approved projects, he shall notify the Commonwealth that further payments will not be made to the Commonwealth from appropriations under this Act until he is satisfied that there will no longer be any such failure. Until he is so satisfied the Secretary of the Interior shall withhold the payment of any financial contributions to the Commonwealth.
Sec. 5.
The Secretary of the Interior shall render to Congress on
Report to Congress.
or before the first day of February of each year for four consecutive years, commencing on or before February 1, 1957, a report of the progress and accomplishments of the program provided for by this Act.
Sec. 6.
There is hereby authorized to be appropriated such amounts
Appropriation.
as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Post, p. 460.
Approved July 15, 1955.