Termination of Federal Enforcement for Parts of the Missouri Permanent Regulatory Program and Return of Full Regulatory Authority to the State of Missouri, 5548-5552 [06-883]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
• Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5548-5552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-883]



[[Page 5547]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part IV





Department of the Interior





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement



-----------------------------------------------------------------------



30 CFR Part 925



Termination of Federal Enforcement for Parts of the Missouri Permanent 
Regulatory Program and Return of Full Regulatory Authority to the State 
of Missouri; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 1, 2006 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 5548]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 925

[Docket No. MO-738]


Termination of Federal Enforcement for Parts of the Missouri 
Permanent Regulatory Program and Return of Full Regulatory Authority to 
the State of Missouri

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 
(OSM), are announcing our decision under the Surface Mining Control and 
Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act) to terminate direct Federal 
enforcement for those parts of the Missouri permanent regulatory 
program (Missouri program) for which we substituted Federal 
enforcement. We announced our decision to substitute Federal 
enforcement for parts of the Missouri program on August 22, 2003. On 
June 2, 2005, the Governor of Missouri petitioned us to consider 
returning to the Missouri Land Reclamation Commission (MLRC) the 
authority to enforce those parts of the Missouri program for which we 
substituted Federal enforcement. The Missouri Land Reclamation Program 
(MLRP), within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), 
implements and enforces the Missouri program for the MLRC. Based on the 
Missouri Governor's petition for return of the Missouri program and 
MLRP's completion of the required remedial actions, we are terminating 
Federal enforcement for those parts of the Missouri program for which 
we substituted Federal enforcement and returning full enforcement 
authority to Missouri. This document also removes those sections of the 
Federal regulations that address: Direct Federal enforcement for parts 
of the Missouri program; the remedial actions required of Missouri to 
regain full enforcement authority; and the requirements and procedures 
for terminating direct Federal enforcement.

DATES: Effective Date: February 1, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew R. Gilmore, Chief, Alton Field 
Division. Telephone: (618) 463-6460. E-mail: IFOMAIL@osmre.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background on the Missouri Program

II. OSM's Findings on Missouri's Responses to Required Remedial Actions
III. Summary and Disposition of Comments
IV. OSM's Decision
V. Procedural Determinations

I. Background on the Missouri Program

    Section 503(a) of the Act permits a State to assume primacy for the 
regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations on non-
Federal and non-Indian lands within its borders by demonstrating that 
its State program includes, among other things, ``a State law which 
provides for the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation 
operations in accordance with the requirements of this Act . . .; and 
rules and regulations consistent with regulations issued by the 
Secretary pursuant to this Act.'' See 30 U.S.C. 1253(a)(1) and (7). On 
the basis of these criteria, the Secretary of the Interior 
conditionally approved the Missouri program on November 21, 1980. You 
can find background information on the Missouri program, including the 
Secretary's findings, the disposition of comments, and conditions of 
approval, in the November 21, 1980, Federal Register (45 FR 77017). You 
can also find later actions concerning the Missouri program and program 
amendments at 30 CFR 925.10, 925.12, 925.15, 925.16, 925.17, 925.18, 
and 925.19.
    On June 19, 2003, MLRP notified us that the Missouri Legislature 
passed House Bill (HB) 6 that appropriated funds for the Missouri 
program. In HB 6, the Missouri Legislature did not fully fund the 
Missouri program for the period beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 
30, 2004. The Missouri Legislature only appropriated funds for bond 
forfeiture reclamation activities. The Governor of Missouri signed the 
appropriation bill on May 30, 2003 (Administrative Record No. MO-664).
    On July 2, 2003, we met with the MLRP at the Missouri Department of 
Natural Resources' office in Jefferson City, Missouri (Administrative 
Record No. MO-664.1). During the meeting, MLRP made a presentation 
describing the recently approved appropriation bill. HB 6 contained a 
severe cut in general revenue dollars available as State matching funds 
for the regulatory program. MLRP advised us that the moneys that were 
available for the regulatory program could only be used for bond 
forfeiture reclamation activities. Also, MLRP advised us that the State 
Legislature appropriated Federal funds for the abandoned mine land 
reclamation (AMLR) program. In addition, MLRP explained that as of July 
18, 2003, existing regulatory program staff, with the exception of four 
full-time employees, would be transferred to other programs and that 
MLRP would not be able to implement and maintain its inspection, 
enforcement, permitting, or bond release responsibilities under the 
currently approved Missouri program. The four full-time employees would 
perform the bond forfeiture reclamation activities that were authorized 
by the State Legislature. MLRP indicated that it would try to gain full 
program funding from the Missouri Legislature for its 2005 fiscal year 
(FY).
    On July 21, 2003, the Governor of Missouri notified us that the 
State of Missouri was experiencing difficult budget and revenue 
shortfalls (Administrative Record No. MO-664.3). As a result of the 
revenue shortfalls, he requested assistance with permit reviews, 
inspection activities, and general oversight of the active coal mining 
operations in the State. He indicated that Missouri had adequate 
funding and staff available to maintain design and reclamation efforts 
for bond forfeiture sites, as well as sufficient funding and staff to 
maintain the AMLR program, including the emergency program. He also 
indicated that he was hopeful his request would be temporary and that 
he would continue to work with the Legislature in an attempt to assure 
adequate funding for all of Missouri's regulatory program 
responsibilities.
    On August 4, 2003, we notified the Governor of Missouri that we 
were obligated, in accordance with 30 CFR 733.12(e), to substitute 
Federal enforcement for parts of the Missouri program. We cited 
Missouri's failure to fund and staff the Missouri program in several 
areas including inspection, enforcement, permitting, and bonding 
activities (Administrative Record No. MO-664.4).
    In accordance with the provisions of 30 CFR 733.12(f), we announced 
our decision, effective August 22, 2003, to institute direct Federal 
enforcement for those parts of the Missouri program that were not fully 
funded and staffed. We suspended the authority of Missouri to enforce 
all portions of the Missouri program except bond forfeiture reclamation 
activities. We determined that MLRP had sufficient funding and staff to 
implement and maintain bond forfeiture reclamation activities. We did 
not provide additional grant funds to the MLRP for initiating new 
projects under the approved Missouri AMLR program under Title IV of 
SMCRA. We withheld further AMLR grant awards in accordance with 30 CFR 
886.18(a)(3),

[[Page 5549]]

which requires us to terminate AMLR grants if an agency fails to 
implement, enforce, or maintain any part of an approved State 
regulatory program. With this substitution of Federal enforcement 
authority, we outlined a process, including remedial actions, by which 
Missouri could regain full authority for its program (68 FR 50944).
    On April 15, 2004, we clarified our substitution of Federal 
enforcement for parts of the Missouri program and made findings on the 
status of the Missouri program (69 FR 19927).
    On May 3, 2004, MLRP notified us that the Missouri Legislature 
failed to fully fund the Missouri program for the period beginning July 
1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2005 (Administrative Record No. MO-
664.22). In the same letter, MLRP outlined its financial and 
organizational plans to submit a request to its division and department 
legislative staff to propose funding and staffing that would be needed 
to reassume authority of the complete active coal regulatory program 
beginning July 1, 2005. On May 25, 2004, we notified MLRP that based on 
its May 3, 2004, submittal, we would continue the current Federal 
substitution plan for one more year (Administrative Record No. MO-
664.24).
    By letter dated May 2, 2005, MLRP notified us that the Director of 
the MDNR had agreed to seek full return of the regulatory program to 
Missouri. MLRP also requested a meeting with us to discuss the plan for 
the return of the program to Missouri. MLRP noted that the State budget 
includes the necessary funding and staffing allocations and that it 
plans to use remaining past coal fee funds to match the Federal 
regulatory grant for FY 2006 (Administrative Record No. MO-664.39).
    By letter dated May 12, 2005, we advised MLRP that before Missouri 
can reassume full authority to implement and enforce the Missouri 
program, MLRP must complete the remedial measures specified in 30 CFR 
925.18. In accordance with 30 CFR 925.18(c), we requested that MLRP 
submit a detailed description of the past coal fee funds that it 
proposed to use to match the Federal regulatory grant. We also 
requested that MLRP provide us with a Missouri Attorney General's 
opinion on the legality of using these funds for implementation of its 
permanent regulatory program (Administrative Record No. MO-664.40).
    On May 26, 2005, we met with the Deputy Director of MDNR to discuss 
(1) funding; (2) current staff for the forfeiture program and AMLR 
plan; (3) cooperative agreement funding beginning July 1, 2005, and 
ending on December 31, 2005, or until we approve or disapprove the 
return of authority to Missouri; (4) procedural matters; (5) program 
issues; and (6) bond forfeiture site reclamation progress 
(Administrative Record No. MO-664.44).
    By letter dated May 27, 2005, the Governor of Missouri petitioned 
us to consider returning to Missouri the authority to implement and 
enforce those parts of the Missouri program for which we substituted 
Federal enforcement (Administrative Record No. MO-664.42).
    On June 28, 2005, the Director of MDNR submitted information on the 
funding and staffing plans that MLRP would use to assume full 
enforcement authority for the Missouri program as required by 30 CFR 
925.18(c). The Director of MDNR also provided the Missouri Attorney 
General's written opinion on the legality of the funding proposal 
(Administrative Record No. MO-664.48).
    Also on June 28, 2005, we awarded a cooperative agreement to MDNR 
for a period of six months to facilitate startup activities for MLRP, 
to hire and train staff, and to take other actions necessary to resume 
full regulatory program authority. This cooperative agreement was 
effective July 1, 2005. On September 15, 2005, MDNR received an 
amendment to its Title V cooperative agreement, which extended the 
cooperative agreement through June 30, 2006, or such time that we 
approve or disapprove Missouri's petition to assume full enforcement 
authority. We also awarded Missouri an FY 2005 AML Simplified Grant on 
June 28, 2005. The FY 2005 AML grant was initially funded for the 
period July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, to facilitate startup 
operations. No non-emergency project construction funds were included 
(Administrative Record No. MO-664.53A).
    OSM and the State met face to face on nearly a monthly basis and 
held numerous conference calls between meetings to discuss actions 
required under the cooperative agreement. To date, Missouri inspectors 
are accompanying OSM on all inspections. Missouri staff is working with 
OSM on permitting requests, and the State and OSM are working on a plan 
to complete reclamation of the forfeiture sites. Missouri has made 
leadership and organizational changes as part of its implementation of 
the cooperative agreement (Administrative Record No. MO-664.63), and 
has met with coal mining operators to discuss these changes.

II. OSM's Findings on Missouri's Responses to Required Remedial Actions

    A. In order for MLRP to demonstrate its intent and capability to 
fully implement and enforce the Missouri program as approved by the 
Secretary, we required MLRP to complete certain remedial actions, which 
we codified at 30 CFR 925.18(a) through (e). The Federal regulation at 
30 CFR 925.19 provides that we will consider returning to Missouri the 
authority suspended under 30 CFR 925.17 provided that the State has 
accomplished all remedial actions specified under 30 CFR 925.18; and 
petitions us in writing to consider returning authority to the State. 
On May 27, 2005, we received a written petition from the Governor of 
Missouri requesting that we return, to the State, the enforcement 
authority that was suspended under 30 CFR 925.17 (Administrative Record 
No. MO-664.42). We reviewed the current status of Missouri's responses 
to the required remedial actions at 30 CFR 925.18, and we are making 
the following findings:
    B. 30 CFR 925.18 State Remedial Actions. 1. 30 CFR 925.18(a)--We 
required MLRP to submit to us, by August 22, 2003, a list of all 
outstanding enforcement actions specifying the abatement date set for 
each cited violation. On July 22, 2003, the Missouri Attorney General's 
office provided us with a copy of all outstanding enforcement actions 
(Administrative Record No. MO-664.13). The notices of violation and 
cessation orders specified the abatement date set for each cited 
violation. On April 15, 2004, we found that MLRP had satisfied this 
required remedial action, and we removed paragraph (a) from 30 CFR 
925.18. See 69 FR 19932, dated April 15, 2004.
    2. 30 CFR 925.18(b)--In accordance with the requirements of the 
approved Missouri program, MLRP was to complete administrative 
disposition of all enforcement actions that were initiated before 
August 22, 2003. As applicable, MLRP was to conduct penalty 
assessments, hold informal conferences and hearings, collect penalties, 
and terminate or vacate enforcement actions. On November 25, 2003, MLRP 
notified us that it had completed administrative disposition of five 
enforcement actions that were initiated before August 22, 2003 
(Administrative Record No. MO-664.17). Additionally, on February 18, 
2004, MLRP notified us that it had completed administrative disposition 
of the balance of its enforcement actions (Administrative Record No. 
MO-664.18A). Based on the above

[[Page 5550]]

discussion, we find that MLRP has satisfied this required remedial 
action, and we are removing 30 CFR 925.18(b).
    3. 30 CFR 925.18(c)--Within 30 days of the date on which OSM has 
received and acknowledged an accurate description of available funding 
for the regulatory program, MLRP must submit to OSM a plan to reassume 
full authority for the Missouri program. At a minimum, the proposal 
must provide specific and adequate provisions that address funding, 
staffing, and adherence to the approved program. On June 28, 2005, the 
Director of MDNR submitted information on the funding and staffing 
plans that MLRP would use to assume full enforcement authority for the 
Missouri program as required by 30 CFR 925.18(c). The Director of MDNR 
also provided the Missouri Attorney General's written opinion on the 
legality of the funding proposal (Administrative Record No. MO-664.48). 
Based on the above discussion and upon our knowledge of the level of 
staffing and the various expertise necessary to fully implement a 
successful program, we find that MLRP has satisfied this required 
remedial action. Therefore, we are removing 30 CFR 925.18(c).
    4. 30 CFR 925.18(d)--Starting on April 1, 2004, MLRP was to submit 
to us a report once a month on its progress in obtaining full funding 
for the Missouri program. MLRP is submitting monthly update reports on 
its progress in obtaining the funding and staffing needed to reassume 
its program (Administrative Record Nos. MO-644.22, MO-664.23, MO-
664.26--MO.664.34, MO-664.36--MO-664.45, MO-664.50, and MO-664.54). 
Based on these monthly submittals, we find that MLRP has satisfied this 
required remedial action, and we are removing 30 CFR 925.18(d).
    5. 30 CFR 925.18(e)--Effective September 8, 2003, MLRP was to take 
all steps necessary to ensure that all records, documents, 
correspondence, inspector logs, etc. were made secure and to supply 
copies of all documents to us upon request. Beginning in July 2003, 
MLRP provided access to all materials that we requested (Administrative 
Record No. MO-664.13). MLRP also provided us with copies of all items, 
such as permit review documents and bond release applications, that 
were pending when it lost funding for the State program. On April 15, 
2004, we found that MLRP had satisfied this required remedial action, 
and we removed paragraph (e) from 30 CFR 925.18. See 69 FR 19932, dated 
April 15, 2004.

III. Summary and Disposition of Comments

Public Comments

    On August 22, 2005 (70 FR 48925), we announced receipt of the 
Governor of Missouri's petition to consider returning to Missouri the 
authority to enforce those parts of the Missouri program for which we 
substituted Federal enforcement. In that document, we opened the public 
comment period and provided for a public hearing. We also published 
notice of the public hearing in three newspapers located within the 
areas of active mining operations and one newspaper located in the city 
of the Missouri regulatory authority. We held the public hearing on 
September 22, 2005. The public comment period ended on September 29, 
2005. The public comment period and hearing provided interested persons 
an opportunity to comment on matters relevant to whether OSM should 
grant the Governor of Missouri's petition to reassume authority for 
those parts of the Missouri regulatory program currently being enforced 
by OSM. Three persons representing two State agencies attended the 
public hearing and two of them registered to speak at the hearing. We 
received written comments from two State agencies and the Interstate 
Mining Compact Commission (IMCC).
1. Public Hearing Oral Comments
    The first person to speak at the public hearing represented the 
Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental 
Quality (MDEQ) and commented that MDEQ supported OSM's action to return 
full enforcement authority for the Missouri program back to MLRP (MO-
664.60).
    The second person to speak at the public hearing represented MLRP 
and supported OSM's action to return full enforcement authority for the 
Missouri program (MO-664.60). The speaker commented on the following:
    (1) The loss of funding and staffing in 2003 that prevented 
Missouri from operating the approved State program. Missouri and OSM 
entered into a cooperative agreement to fund startup of the State 
program in July 2005, so that Missouri could work toward assuming full 
responsibility for the State program. [See Section I, Background on the 
Missouri Program, for more information on the July 2005 cooperative 
agreement (Administrative Record No. MO-664.53A)];
    (2) Missouri's realization that changes in its operation are 
appropriate. The new program will have a much smaller and different 
staff. It will be one set of staff that will work on coal, bond 
forfeiture, and abandoned mine land reclamation activities;
    (3) The intent to change the Missouri regulations to phase out the 
regulatory process known as the bond pool and to convert to full cost 
bonding;
    (4) The need to reclaim abandoned mine lands for future 
generations; and
    (5) Missouri looking forward to once again implementing the full 
regulatory and reclamation programs.
2. Written Comments
    By letters dated September 15, 2005, the Executive Director of IMCC 
and the Chairman of MLRC, commented that they strongly endorse and 
support the petition submitted by Governor Blunt to allow Missouri to 
reassume authority for those parts of the Missouri regulatory program 
that have recently been enforced by OSM. The IMCC and MLRC believe that 
Missouri has demonstrated its intent and capability to reassume full 
authority to implement and enforce its regulatory program 
(Administrative Record Nos. MO-664.56 and MO-664.57).
    By letter dated September 19, 2005, the Director of MDEQ also 
commented that the MDEQ strongly endorses and supports the petition 
submitted by Governor Blunt to allow Missouri to reassume authority for 
those parts of the Missouri regulatory program that have recently been 
enforced by OSM. The MDEQ also believes that Missouri has demonstrated 
its intent and capability to reassume full authority to implement and 
enforce its regulatory program (Administrative Record No. MO-664.58).
3. Response to All Commenters
    We agree that OSM should approve Governor Blunt's petition to allow 
Missouri to reassume authority for the State program. See Section IV, 
OSM's Decision.

IV. OSM's Decision

    After a review of all available information on Missouri's actions 
to seek return of the Missouri program, we found that Missouri has 
demonstrated that it has the resources, capability, policy, procedures, 
and commitment necessary to assure proper implementation of the 
program. Therefore, we are approving the Governor of Missouri's 
petition to return full regulatory authority to MLRP for implementation 
and enforcement of the Missouri program, and we are terminating Federal 
enforcement of the Missouri program. This finding and decision are 
based on the following:
    1. The Governor of Missouri submitted a petition to consider

[[Page 5551]]

returning authority to the State and signed legislation that 
appropriated the necessary funds for MLRP to implement and enforce the 
Missouri program.
    2. MLRP provided a satisfactory source of funding for 
implementation and enforcement of the Missouri program.
    3. MLRP provided us a staffing plan and has made good progress in 
hiring and training staff to implement and enforce the Missouri 
program.
    4. Our staff has worked with the Missouri staff and management 
during the period beginning on July 1, 2005, and our observations and 
review of assignments made to Missouri indicate both staff and 
management are ready to assume full enforcement responsibilities.
    5. MLRP accomplished to our satisfaction all required remedial 
actions at 30 CFR 925.18.
    To implement this decision, we are amending the Federal regulations 
at 30 CFR part 925, which codify decisions concerning the Missouri 
program. We find that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to 
make this final rule effective February 1, 2006. Section 503(a)(3) of 
SMCRA requires that a State's program demonstrate that the State 
regulatory authority has sufficient administrative and technical 
personnel and sufficient funding to enable the State to regulate 
surface coal mining and reclamation operations in accordance with the 
requirements of SMCRA. Missouri is now in compliance with the 
requirements of section 503(a)(3).

V. Procedural Determinations

Executive Order 12630--Takings

    This rule does not have takings implications. This determination is 
based upon the nature of the action being taken.

Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule is exempted from review by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 12988--Civil Justice Reform

    The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required 
by section 3 of Executive Order 12988 and has determined that this rule 
meets the applicable standards of subsections (a) and (b) of that 
section. Under sections 503 and 505 of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1253 and 1255) 
and the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 730.11, 732.15, and 
732.17(h)(10), decisions on State regulatory programs must be based 
solely on a determination of whether the program is consistent with 
SMCRA and its implementing Federal regulations and whether the other 
requirements of 30 CFR parts 730, 731, and 732 have been met.

Executive Order 13132--Federalism

    This rule does not have Federalism implications. SMCRA delineates 
the roles of the Federal and State governments with regard to the 
regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations. One of 
the purposes of SMCRA is to ``establish a nationwide program to protect 
society and the environment from the adverse effects of surface coal 
mining operations.'' Section 503(a)(1) of SMCRA requires that State 
laws regulating surface coal mining and reclamation operations be ``in 
accordance with'' the requirements of SMCRA, and section 503(a)(7) 
requires that State programs contain rules and regulations ``consistent 
with'' regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to SMCRA.

Executive Order 13175--Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal 
Governments

    In accordance with Executive Order 13175, we have evaluated the 
potential effects of this rule on Federally-recognized Indian tribes 
and have determined that the rule does not have substantial direct 
effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the 
Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. 
This determination is based on the fact that there are no Federally-
recognized Indian tribes in the State of Missouri and that the Missouri 
program does not regulate coal exploration and surface coal mining and 
reclamation operations on Indian lands. Therefore, the Missouri program 
has no effect on Federally-recognized Indian tribes.

Executive Order 13211--Regulations That Significantly Affect The 
Supply, Distribution, or Use of Energy

    On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 which 
requires agencies to prepare a Statement of Energy Effects for a rule 
that is (1) considered significant under Executive Order 12866, and (2) 
likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy. Because this rule is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866 and is not expected to have a significant 
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, a 
Statement of Energy Effects is not required.

National Environmental Policy Act

    This rule does not require an environmental impact statement 
because section 702(d) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1292(d)) provides that 
agency decisions on State regulatory programs do not constitute major 
Federal actions within the meaning of section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain information collection requirements that 
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 
3507 et seq.).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that the return of 
regulatory authority to the State of Missouri for those portions of the 
Missouri permanent regulatory program for which we are currently 
substituting Federal enforcement will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). The rule is not expected to 
result in additional costs to the regulated industry.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule: (a) Does not 
have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million; (b) Will not 
cause a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual 
industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic 
regions; and (c) Does not have significant adverse effects on 
competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the 
ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based 
enterprises. This determination is based upon the fact that the rule is 
not expected to result in additional costs to the regulated industry.

Unfunded Mandates

    The return of regulatory authority to the State of Missouri for 
those portions of the Missouri permanent regulatory program for which 
we are currently substituting Federal enforcement will not impose an 
unfunded mandate on State, local, or tribal governments or the private 
sector of $100 million or more in any given year. This determination is 
based upon the nature of the action being taken.

[[Page 5552]]

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 925

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: January 6, 2006.
R.M. ``Johnnie'' Burton,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 30 CFR part 925 is amended as 
set forth below:

PART 925--MISSOURI

0
1. The authority citation for part 925 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.


0
2. Part 925 is amended by removing Sec. Sec.  925.17, 925.18, and 
925.19 in their entirety.

[FR Doc. 06-883 Filed 1-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P