The Legislature makes the following findings. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).] 1. Mineral resources fundamental. Mineral resources are fundamental to modern civilization. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).] 2. Mineral resources as economic wealth. Mineral resources have historically been a primary source of economic wealth, are valuable and, once removed, are forever lost as an economic asset to the State. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).] 3. Development of mineral resources. Development of this country's mineral resources has involved only a small portion of its land area and may be expected to involve a similarly small portion of the land area of Maine. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).] 4. Excise tax. The tax established by this chapter is not a property tax. It is an excise tax imposed on those engaged in and enjoying the privilege of conducting mining in the State. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).] 5. Creation of additional costs to government by mining. The activity of mining may create additional costs to the State and its political subdivisions for government services, such as environmental monitoring and education and for highways, sewers, schools and other improvements which are necessary to accommodate the development of a mining industry. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).] 6. Effect of mining on environment and other qualities. The activity of mining may have permanent and often damaging effects on the environment and recreational and aesthetic qualities of the State. These effects constitute a cost to the State. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).] 7. Quality of life. The activity of mining may significantly alter the quality of life in communities affected by mining. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).] 8. Size of mining operation. As the size of a mining operation increases, the cost to the State and its political subdivisions may increase, as do the effects on the environment. As the size of a mining operation increases, the mining company benefits from economies of scale in the mining operation. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).] 9. Long-term and short-term economic costs. The State and its political subdivisions incur long- term and short-term economic costs as a result of mining. A fund, in which is deposited a portion of the excise tax revenues, assures that money will be available for long-term and short-term costs associated with social, educational, environmental and economic impacts of mining. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).] 10. Impact of mining tax laws on mining industry. Mining tax laws may have a significant impact on the profitability of mining and the industry's ability to enter into and sustain production. [PL 1981, c. 711, §10 (NEW).]
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