(20 ILCS 1920/Art. I heading)

(20 ILCS 1920/1.01) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 8001.01) Sec. 1.01. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the Abandoned Mined Lands and Water Reclamation Act. (Source: P.A. 86-1475.)

(20 ILCS 1920/1.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 8001.02) Sec. 1.02. Legislative Declaration. (a) It is the policy of this State to provide for the conservation and reclamation of lands and water affected by mining which have been abandoned, in order to restore these abandoned lands and waters to such productive use, in accordance with this State's conservation and land reclamation policies, as will aid in maintaining or improving the property tax base, protect the health, safety and general welfare of the people, promote the natural beauty and aesthetic values of this State and enhance the environment, and correct and prevent soil erosion, stream pollution, water, air and land pollution, and other injurious effects to persons, property, wildlife and natural resources. (b) It is the purpose of this Act to implement these policies in a way which satisfies the requirements of the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, P. L. 95-87, as amended, and which makes this State eligible for funds for reclamation of abandoned lands and waters under that Act. (Source: P.A. 81-1020.)

(20 ILCS 1920/1.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 8001.03) Sec. 1.03. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Abandoned lands" means any land and water which

were mined for coal or which were affected by such mining, wastebanks, coal processing, or other coal mining processes, and abandoned or left in an inadequate reclamation status prior to August 3, 1977, and for which there is no continuing reclamation responsibility under State or Federal laws. "Abandoned lands" also means, in the appropriate context, lands and water eligible for reclamation under Section 2.11 and Section 2.13 of this Act.

(2) "Department" means the Department of Natural

Resources, successor to the Abandoned Mined Lands Reclamation Council as provided in the Department of Natural Resources Act.

(3) "Federal Act" means the Federal Surface Mining

Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-87).

(4) "Person" means an individual, partnership,

co-partnership, firm, joint venture, company, corporation, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, political subdivision, or any other public or private legal entity, or their legal representative, agent or assigns.

(5) "Reclamation" means the restoration of abandoned

lands and waters to constructive uses, including, but not limited to forests, grasses and legumes, row crops, wildlife and aquatic reserves and recreational, residential and industrial sites, and abatement, control or prevention of adverse effects of coal mining.

(6) "Section" means a Section of this Act. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(20 ILCS 1920/1.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 8001.04) Sec. 1.04. (Repealed). (Source: P.A. 88-553. Repealed by P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)

(20 ILCS 1920/1.05) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 8001.05) Sec. 1.05. Creation of Program. The Department shall administer a program for the reclamation of abandoned lands and waters in accordance with this Act. The program shall be administered to provide the most effective use in this State of abandoned mine reclamation funds under the Federal Act. (Source: P.A. 89-445, eff. 2-7-96.)