Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office October 17, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Montana regulatory program (hereinafter, the ``Montana program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (``SMCRA'' or ``the Act''). Montana proposes changes to the Montana Strip and Underground Mine Reclamation Act (MSUMRA) that differentiate between coal beneficiation and coal preparation plants. Montana intends to revise its program to clarify ambiguities and improve operational efficiency. This document gives the times and locations that the Montana program and proposed amendment to that program are available for your inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

We are reopening and extending the public comment period on the proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania regulatory program (the ``Pennsylvania program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act) published on February 7, 2011. In response to a required program amendment codified in the Federal regulations, Pennsylvania submitted information that it believes demonstrates that sufficient funds exist to guarantee coverage of the full cost of land reclamation at all sites originally permitted and bonded under its now-defunct alternative bonding system. Pennsylvania requested that the program amendment be removed based on the information provided. The comment period is being extended to incorporate subsequent information that we received from Pennsylvania regarding one permit involving land reclamation obligations. This document gives the times and locations that the Pennsylvania program and this submittal are available for your inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments, and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.