Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office December 30, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are approving an 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 revised its Code of State Regulations (CSR) concerning surety bonds. The amendment is intended to provide the State with an alternative source of reliable financial information about the surety, and to allow sureties that are licensed and in good financial condition but are not currently listed with the U.S. Department of the Treasury as an acceptable surety of Federal bonds to provide surety bonds to the coal industry in West Virginia. The amendment was authorized by the West Virginia Secretary of State as an emergency rule under the State's Administrative Procedures Act.