Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office January 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to request approval for the collection of information for two forms: technical training program nominations for non-Federal personnel form (OSM 105) and the travel and per diem form (OSM 140); and for 30 CFR Part 840, State Regulatory Authority: Inspection and Enforcement. The collections described below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The information collection requests describe the nature of the information collections and the expected burden and cost.

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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing that the information collection requests for 30 CFR Part 773 (Requirements for permits and permit processing), Part 774 (Revision; Renewal; and Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of Permit Rights), and Part 778 (Permit ApplicationsMinimum Requirements for Legal, Financial, Compliance, and Related Information) have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and reauthorization. The information collection packages were previously approved and assigned clearance numbers 1029-0115 for 30 CFR Part 773, 1029-0116 for 30 CFR Part 774, and 1029-0117 for 30 CFR Part 778. This notice describes the nature of the information collection activities and the expected burdens.