Section 324.63510 - State abandoned mine reclamation fund; creation; administration; investment of money; use of interest and earnings; money deposited in fund; carrying over remaining money; expenditures(1) The state abandoned mine reclamation fund is created in the state treasury and shall be administered by the department. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of money in the fund. The interest and earnings of the fund shall be used exclusively for the purposes specified in subsection (4).(2) The following money shall be deposited in the fund: (a) All funds from the application fees imposed under subpart 3, the inspection and reclamation fees imposed under subpart 9, and the civil fines imposed under subpart 8.(b) All funds made available to the department for the purposes specified in subsection (4) pursuant to title IV of the surface mining control and reclamation act of 1977.(c) All funds which may be donated to the department for the purposes specified in subsection (4) by any person.(3) Any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall be carried over in the fund to the next and succeeding fiscal years and shall only be used for the purposes specified in subsection (4).(4) Expenditure of money from the state abandoned mine reclamation fund shall be made as follows: (a) Money that is deposited in the fund under subsection (2)(b) shall reflect the following priorities in the order stated: (i) The protection of public health, safety, general welfare, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices.(ii) The protection of public health, safety, and general welfare from adverse effects of coal mining practices.(iii) The restoration of land and water resources and the environment previously degraded by adverse effects of coal mining practices including measures for the conservation and development of soil; water, excluding channelization; woodland, fish, and wildlife; recreation resources; and agricultural productivity.(iv) Research and demonstration projects relating to the development of surface mining reclamation and water quality control program methods and techniques.(v) The protection, repair, replacement, construction, or enhancement of public facilities such as utilities, roads, recreation, and conservation facilities adversely affected by coal mining practices.(vi) The development of publicly owned land adversely affected by coal mining practices including land acquired as provided in this part for recreation and historic purposes, conservation, and reclamation purposes and open space benefits.(b) Money that is deposited in the fund under subsection (2)(a) or (c) for any of the expenditures authorized in subdivision (a) and for any other purpose of this part including the cost of administering this part.Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. 5/24/1995 .