Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement December 7, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are issuing a final decision on an amendment to the Wyoming regulatory program (the ``Wyoming program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (``SMCRA'' or ``the Act''). Our decision approves in part and disapproves in part the amendment. Wyoming proposes both revisions of and additions to its coal rules and regulations concerning ownership and control, adds a provision concerning variable topsoil depths during reclamation, and addresses four deficiencies that were identified by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) during the review of a previous program amendment (WY-038-FOR; Docket ID No. OSM-2009-0012). Wyoming revised its program to be consistent with the corresponding Federal regulations and SMCRA, clarify ambiguities, and improve operational efficiency.