70-30-106. Eminent domain not to be used for coal mining in certain cases -- policy. (1) For the reasons contained in this section, the state's power of eminent domain may not be exercised to mine and extract coal owned by the condemnor located beneath the surface of property for which the title to the surface is vested in others.

(2) Because of the large reserves of and the renewed interest in coal in eastern Montana, coal development is potentially more destructive to land and watercourses and underground aquifers and potentially more extensive geographically than the foreseeable development of other ores, metals, or minerals and affects large areas of land and large numbers of people.

(3) In certain areas of Montana referred to in subsection (2), the title to the surface property is vested in an owner other than the mineral owner and the surface owner is putting that surface property to a productive use, and it is the public policy of the state to encourage and foster that productive use by the surface owner. To permit the mineral owner to condemn the surface owner's property is to deprive the surface owner of the right to use the property in the productive manner that the surface owner determines and is also contrary to public policy set forth in subsection (5).

(4) The magnitude of the potential coal development in eastern Montana will subject landowners to undue harassment by excessive use of eminent domain.

(5) It is the public policy of the state to encourage and foster diversity of land ownership, and the surface mining of coal and control of large areas of land by the surface coal mining industry would not promote public policy and further the public interest.