A. Within six (6) months after the completion of projects to restore, reclaim, abate, control or prevent the adverse effects of past mining practices on privately owned land, the Commission shall itemize the monies so expended and may file a statement of the monies spent with the clerk of the county in which the land lies, together with a notarized appraisal by an independent appraiser of the value of the land before the restoration, reclamation, abatement, control or prevention of adverse effects of past mining practices if the monies so expended result in a significant increase in property value. The statement shall constitute a lien on the land. The lien shall not exceed the amount determined by either of two appraisals to be the increase in the market value of the land as a result of the restoration, reclamation, abatement, control or prevention of the adverse effects of past mining practices. No lien shall be filed against the property of any person, in accordance with this subsection, who owned the surface prior to May 2, 1977, and who neither consented to nor participated in nor exercised control over the mining operation that necessitated the reclamation performed hereunder.

B. Any affected landowner may petition the Commission within sixty (60) days of the filing of the lien for a hearing concerning the amount of the lien. That hearing and any appeal will be conducted under the provisions of Sections 301 et seq. of Title 75.

Laws 1981, c. 185, § 6, emerg. eff. May 19, 1981.