Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office April 23, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are approving an amendment to the Virginia regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The revisions concern Virginia's standards for revegetation success for certain postmining land uses, distribution of topsoil and subsoil materials, and allow approval of natural stream restoration channel design, as developed in consultation with the Army Corps of Engineers. The amendment is intended to render the State's regulations no less effective than the Secretary's regulations in meeting the requirements of the Act.