Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 36, September 7, 2024
(a) The Department will forfeit the bond, or make an equivalent declaration for payment in lieu of bond for a permit if it determines that one of the following applies: (1) The permittee has violated and continues to violate terms or conditions of the bond.(2) The permittee has failed and continues to fail to conduct the mining or reclamation operations in accordance with the act, this chapter or the conditions of the permit.(3) The permittee has abandoned the permit area.(4) The permits for the area under the bond have been revoked, and the permittee has failed to complete the reclamation, abatement and revegetation required by the act, this chapter and the conditions of the permit.(5) The permittee has failed to comply with a compliance schedule in an adjudicated proceeding, consent order or agreement approved by the Department.(6) The permittee has become insolvent, or has a receiver appointed by the court; or a creditor of the permittee has attached or executed a judgment against the permittee's equipment, materials and facilities at the permit area or on the collateral pledged to the Department; and the permittee cannot demonstrate or prove the ability to continue to operate in compliance with the environmental acts, the act, this chapter and the conditions of the permit.(7) The permittee has failed to make payment in lieu of bond.(b) If the operator fails or refuses to comply with a provision of the act for which liability has been charged on the bond, the Department will declare the bond forfeited.(c) Upon certification of surety bond forfeiture by the Department, the Office of Attorney General will promptly collect the bond and pay the proceeds into the fund. Where the operator deposited cash or securities as collateral, the Department will sell the collateral and pay the proceeds into the fund or direct the State Treasurer to pay the proceeds into that fund.The provisions of this §77.252 adopted March 16, 1990, effective 3/17/1990, 20 Pa.B. 1643. This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 77.195 (relating to Department responsibilities); 25 Pa. Code § 77.227 (relating to payment in lieu of bond (PILB)); and 25 Pa. Code § 77.251 (relating to scope).