Department of the Interior December 12, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are announcing the withdrawal of a proposed rule pertaining to an amendment to the Montana regulatory program (the Montana program) and its coal rules and regulations. Montana submitted the amendment at their own initiative to modify coal prospecting procedures and allow for a new type of coal prospecting permit.

We are announcing receipt of revisions pertaining to a previously proposed amendment to the Utah regulatory program (hereinafter, the ``Utah program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Utah proposes to revise references to Federal regulations specifying abandoned mine land reclamation contractor eligibility criteria. These changes relate to the Ownership and Control required amendments. Utah intends to revise its program to be consistent with the corresponding Federal regulations.

This rule implements the amended Record of Decision for the 2011 Winter Use Plan/Environmental Impact Statement and governs winter visitation and certain recreational activities in Yellowstone National Park for the 2012-2013 winter season. The rule retains, for one additional year, the regulation and management framework that have been in place for the past three winter seasons (2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012). Specifically, the rule retains provisions that require most recreational snowmobiles operating in the park to meet certain National Park Service air and sound emissions requirements; requires snowmobiles and snowcoaches in Yellowstone to be accompanied by a commercial guide; sets daily entry limits on the numbers of snowmobiles (up to 318) and snowcoaches (up to 78) that may enter the park; and prohibits traveling off designated oversnow routes.