Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement October 19, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are approving, with one additional requirement, an amendment to the Ohio regulatory program (the Ohio program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The amendment we are approving updates the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) to address issues raised by OSMRE regarding the consistency of Ohio's program with the final Federal rule relative to Ownership and Control, Permit and Application Information and Transfer, and Assignment or Sale of Permit Rights, which became effective on December 3, 2007. The amendment specifically revises the following regulations within the OAC: Definitions; Incorporation by reference; permit applications, requirements for legal, financial, compliance and related information; permit applications, revisions, and renewals, and transfers, assignments, and sales of permit rights; improvidently issued permits; and enforcement and individual civil penalties. Ohio submitted this amendment to ensure the Ohio program is consistent with, and in accordance with, SMCRA, and no less effective than the corresponding regulations. During the course of our review of this amendment, we determined that Ohio must amend its program to ensure the term ``violation notice'' is consistent with the approved Ohio program.

We are approving 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 amendment that we are approving involves a statutory amendment to Pennsylvania's Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act (CRDCA). The amendment adds another category of sites considered as preferred when selecting a location for the placement of coal refuse.