Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office June 8, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are approving a revised amendment to the Utah regulatory program (the ``Utah program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Utah proposed changes to the Utah Administrative Rules concerning permit change, renewal, transfer, sale and assignment, cross sections and maps, processing and approval of extensions to the approved permit area, determining civil penalty amounts, and assessing daily civil penalties. Utah revised its program to clarify and strengthen certain parts of the rules.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are announcing receipt of a partially proposed abandoned mine land reclamation (AMLR) plan under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Mississippi proposes revisions to and addition of statutes to the Mississippi Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Law in order to authorize and establish an AMLR plan. If we approve Mississippi's proposed statutes, our approval will not give Mississippi authority to receive and expend Federal AMLR grant funds. Mississippi would need to submit to us additional information required under 30 CFR 884.13 in order for us to make the findings necessary for full approval of an AMLR plan. The State will be able to receive and spend Federal funds only after we approve its complete State AMLR plan. This document gives the times and locations that the Mississippi AMLR plan statutes are available for your inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments, and the procedures that will be followed for the public hearing, if one is requested.