Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement May 11, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We recently approved an amendment to the Pennsylvania regulatory program (the Pennsylvania program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The changes related to blasting for the development of shafts for underground mines and other changes to the blasting regulations in the Pennsylvania program. After our approval of the amendment, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) requested a clarification of our findings in support of that approval. Therefore, OSM is publishing a clarification of our previous findings.