Outcrop and underground fires in coal formations involve serious wastage of the fuel resources of the nation and constitute a threat to the health and safety of the public and to all kind of surface property. It has therefore been declared as a policy of the Congress to provide for the control and extinguishment of outcrop and underground coal fires and thereby to prevent injuries and loss of life, protect public health, conserve natural resources, and to preserve public and private surface property.
The Secretary of the Interior is authorized—
to conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to the causes and extent of outcrop and underground fires in coal formations and the methods to control or extinguish such fires; to publish the results of any such surveys, investigations, and researches; and to publish information concerning such method; and
to plan and execute projects for control or extinguishment of fires in all coal formations.
The Secretary of the Interior, in connection with any project for the control or extinguishment of fires in any inactive coal mine on any lands not owned or controlled by the United States may direct to do so provided- that the State or person owning or controlling such lands contribute on a matching basis of 50 % of the cost of planning and executing such project. Moreover, if such State or person furnishes evidence which satisfies the Secretary of the Interior of an inability to make the matching contribution, then such State or person must pay to the Government, within a stipulated time an amount equal to 50 % of the cost of planning and executing such project.
