All moneys received by the department under sections 507(c) and 401(b)(1) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. §§ 1257(c) and 1232(b)(1), shall be held by the State Treasurer in a special fund, separate and apart from all other moneys in the State Treasury, to be known as the “Small Operators' Assistance Fund,” and shall be used by the department for the purposes set forth and subject to the limitations in section 507(c) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. § 1257(c). The department may utilize such funds as authorized by the United States Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement pursuant to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.