Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office February 8, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are approving, with certain exceptions, a proposed amendment to the West Virginia regulatory program (the West Virginia program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). West Virginia proposed revisions to the Code of State Regulations (CSR), as authorized by Committee Substitute for House Bill 4193. The State revised its program to be consistent with certain corresponding Federal requirements, and to include other amendments at its own initiative. The amendments include, among other things, new provisions to ensure reclamation and husbandry techniques that are conducive to the development of productive forestlands and wildlife habitat after mining.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Illinois regulatory program (Illinois program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Illinois proposes revisions to its regulations and statutes to remove provisions relating to the Surface Mining Advisory Council, to update citation references, to correct typographical errors, to update procedures for relocating or closing public roads, and to clarify requirements for subsidence control. Illinois intends to revise its program to provide additional safeguards and to clarify ambiguities. This document gives the times and locations that the Illinois program and proposed amendment to that program are available for your inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.