30 U.S.C. § 551 : US Code - Section 551: Declaration of policy

Search 30 U.S.C. § 551 : US Code - Section 551: Declaration of policy

It is recognized that outcrop and underground fires in coal
formations involve serious wastage of the fuel resources of the
Nation, and constitute a menace to the health and safety of the
public and to surface property. It is therefore declared to be the
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.