Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office January 17, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1 - 2 of 2
West Virginia Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Plan
We (OSM) are announcing the approval of an amendment to the West Virginia Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation (AMLR) Plan under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The amendment makes numerous revisions throughout the State's AMLR Plan, and it is intended to update and improve the effectiveness of the West Virginia AMLR Plan.
Abandoned Coal Refuse Sites
We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) propose to amend our regulations to comply with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). The EPAct requires the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to develop regulations establishing environmental performance and reclamation standards for abandoned coal refuse remining operations. These standards must distinguish between refuse removal operations and on-site refuse reprocessing operations and must be premised on the distinct differences between removal operations, on- site reprocessing operations, and other types of surface coal mining operations. The Secretary may devise different performance standards than any of those set forth in sections 515 and 516 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), and separate permit systems if the Secretary determines, on a standard-by-standard basis, that a different standard may facilitate refuse removal and on-site refuse reprocessing operations in a manner that would provide the same level of environmental protection as under sections 515 and 516. We are proposing changes to our rules that respond to the EPAct's requirements.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.