---
kind: "section"
citation: "30 U.S.C. § 1301"
title: "30"
title_heading: "Mineral Lands and Mining"
number: "1301"
heading: "Experimental practices"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/30/1301"
units:
  - "Chapter 25 — Surface Mining Control and Reclamation"
  - "Subchapter VII — Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions"
---

# §1301. Experimental practices


In order to encourage advances in mining and reclamation practices or to allow post-mining land use for industrial, commercial, residential, or public use (including recreational facilities), the [regulatory authority](/usc/30/1291.md?p=22) with approval by the [Secretary](/usc/30/1291.md?p=23) may authorize departures in individual cases on an experimental basis from the environmental protection performance standards promulgated under sections [1265](/usc/30/1265.md) and [1266](/usc/30/1266.md) of this title. Such departures may be authorized if (i) the experimental practices are potentially more or at least as environmentally protective, during and after mining operations, as those required by promulgated standards; (ii) the mining operations approved for particular land-use or other purposes are not larger or more numerous than necessary to determine the effectiveness and economic feasibility of the experimental practices; and (iii) the experimental practices do not reduce the protection afforded public health and safety below that provided by promulgated standards.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–87, title VII, § 711, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 523.)