82-4-102. Intent -- findings -- policy and purpose. (1) The legislature, mindful of its constitutional obligations under Article II, section 3, and Article IX of the Montana constitution, has enacted The Strip and Underground Mine Siting Act. It is the legislature's intent that the requirements of this part provide adequate remedies for the protection of the environmental life support system from degradation and provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources.

(2) It is the policy of this state to provide adequate remedies for the protection of the environmental life support system from degradation and provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources.

(3) It is the purpose of this part:

(a) to vest in the department the authority to adopt rules and to review new strip-mine and new underground-mine site locations and reclamation plans and either approve or disapprove those locations and plans and to exercise general administration and enforcement of this part;

(b) to satisfy the requirement of Article IX, section 2, of the constitution of this state that all lands disturbed by the taking of natural resources be reclaimed; and

(c) to ensure that adequate information is available on areas proposed for strip mining or underground mining so that mining and reclamation plans may be properly formulated to accommodate areas that are suitable for strip mining or underground mining.

(4) This part is an exercise of the general police power to provide for the health and welfare of the people."