This bill establishes an Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to address the adverse effects of abandoned mines, such as mine subsidence and water quality degradation. The DEP is tasked with developing a comprehensive State reclamation plan that includes mapping all abandoned mines, identifying the most hazardous mineshafts, ranking reclamation projects, and outlining a recommended course of action for safely reclaiming these sites. The bill also grants DEP employees the right to enter properties for exploratory work related to reclamation, ensuring that landowners are notified in advance and that no costs are imposed on them for the reclamation efforts.

Additionally, the bill creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Fund, which will be dedicated to financing mine reclamation projects and supporting the administration of the program. This fund will be sourced from federal grants, state appropriations, and other donations, and will be used to provide grants to municipalities or private landowners for reclamation efforts. The DEP is also required to adopt necessary rules and regulations to implement the program effectively. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.