According to government regulations, public and __________ lands that are mined must be restored.

According to government regulations, public and __________ lands that are mined must be restored.

• A. private
• B. public
• C. state
• D. tribal

Answer: (A)

Restoring land disturbed by mining is required to prevent erosion, protect water quality, and allow the land to return to a usable condition. Regulations apply to all land where mining happens, not just government-owned areas, so both public and private lands must be reclaimed. That’s why the missing word is private—forming the common phrase public and private lands. The other options would narrow the scope to specific ownership or merely repeat public land, which doesn’t reflect the broad, across-the-board requirement.

Restoring land disturbed by mining is required to prevent erosion, protect water quality, and allow the land to return to a usable condition. Regulations apply to all land where mining happens, not just government-owned areas, so both public and private lands must be reclaimed. That’s why the missing word is private—forming the common phrase public and private lands. The other options would narrow the scope to specific ownership or merely repeat public land, which doesn’t reflect the broad, across-the-board requirement.