On and after February 1, 1983, no person shall engage in or carry out any surface coal mining operations on non-Federal or non-Indian Lands within the State, unless such person has first been issued a permanent regulatory program permit by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Department), except as provided for in subsection (b). A permittee need not renew the permit if no surface coal mining operations will be conducted under the permit and solely reclamation activities remain to be done. Obligations established under a permit continue until completion of surface coal mining and reclamation operations, regardless of whether the authorization to conduct surface coal mining operations has expired or has been terminated, revoked, or suspended.
Ill. Admin. Code tit. 62, § 1773.11
Amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 20265, effective November 5, 1998