Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the existing West Virginia Federal Lands Cooperative Agreement. Section 523(c) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act) and the Federal regulations authorize a State with an approved permanent regulatory program to enter into an agreement for the State regulation and control of surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands. West Virginia's existing cooperative agreement was adopted in February of 1984, between the State and the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary), to allow the State administration of SMCRA on Federal lands within West Virginia under its approved permanent regulatory program (the West Virginia program). Since several years have passed since the original agreement was adopted, West Virginia is now proposing to amend the existing cooperative agreement to reflect the current statutory schemes, regulatory requirements, and agency responsibilities associated with the regulation of coal mining and reclamation activities on Federal lands. Additionally, the revised cooperative agreement would grant the State the authority to regulate all coal exploration activities on Federal lands, and would delegate the primary responsibility to review and approve coal mining permits involving federally and privately owned coal. This document gives the times and locations that the West Virginia program and this 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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) are proposing to renew an information collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) are proposing to renew an information collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) are proposing to renew an information collection.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) are issuing a final rule to the West Virginia regulatory program (the West Virginia program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Our decision approves, with certain exceptions and understandings, an amendment to the West Virginia regulatory program. West Virginia revised its Code of State Regulations (CSR) and the West Virginia Code, as contained in Committee Substitutes for Senate Bills 373 and 751. Additionally, on June 16, 2008, OSMRE also announced in a separate Federal Register document, its interim approval of the State's alternative bonding provisions of the West Virginia Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act (WVSCMRA) that specifically relate to the special reclamation tax and the creation of the Special Reclamation Water Trust Fund.

Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act), which further amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (1990 Act), and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, this rule adjusts for inflation the level of civil monetary penalties assessed under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are proposing to renew an information collection.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are approving an amendment to the Illinois regulatory program (Illinois program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Illinois proposes revisions to its statute and regulations, including allowing the extraction of coal as an incidental part of a government-financed construction project, revising its Ownership and Control rules, and clarifying land use changes requiring a significant permit revision. Illinois intends to revise its program to be as effective as the Federal regulations.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Ohio (hereinafter, the Ohio program) regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Ohio's proposed amendment is prompted by requirements within the Ohio statute that all agencies must review their administrative rules every five years. Consistent with this requirement, the Ohio Reclamation Commission, (the Commission), proposes an amendment to its procedural rules in order to ensure an orderly, efficient, and effective appeals process. This document gives the times and locations that the Ohio program and this 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, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Kentucky regulatory program (hereinafter, Kentucky program), under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Through this program amendment, Kentucky seeks changes to its administrative regulations that involve definitions pertaining to bond and insurance requirements. This document gives the times and locations that the Kentucky program and this 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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are proposing to renew an information collection.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the West Virginia regulatory program (hereinafter the West Virginia program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The statutory provisions involve the method in which permit applications are advertised. The regulatory provisions involve non- substantive revisions to definitions, reclamation, environmental security account for water quality, water quality enhancement, and modifying sections on incremental bonding, requirement to release bonds, forfeiture of bonds, and effluent limitations. This document gives the times and locations that the West Virginia program and this 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, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania regulatory program (hereinafter, the Pennsylvania program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Through this proposed amendment, Pennsylvania is requesting to adopt changes to its regulations related to blaster's licenses and storage, handling and use of explosives. The proposed changes would update the regulations based on current industry best practices and include blasting requirements related to seismic exploration. This document gives the times and locations that the Pennsylvania program and this 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, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are notifying the public that we intend to grant funds to eligible applicants for purposes authorized under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) Title IV Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Program and Title V Regulatory Program. We will award these grants during fiscal year 2020.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) are proposing to renew an information collection.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are approving an amendment to the Wyoming regulatory program (Wyoming program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Wyoming proposes both revisions of and additions to its coal rules and regulations concerning valid existing rights and individual civil penalties, as well as ownership and control provisions. Wyoming also proposes to revise a provision concerning periodic monitoring of blasting. Wyoming revised its program to address deficiencies we previously identified, which are now consistent with the corresponding Federal regulations and SMCRA.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are approving an amendment to the Texas regulatory program (Texas program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Texas proposed revisions to its program regarding annual permit fees for calendar years 2017 and 2018. Texas also proposed to remove a restriction in its rules that conflicts with the United States Bankruptcy Code.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are approving an amendment to the Virginia regulatory program (the Virginia program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The amendment revises the Virginia Coal Surface Mining Reclamation Regulations (the State regulations). The changes involve adding a provision to Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) to require Virginia to enter permit information into the Federal Applicant Violator System (AVS) and add a provision to the Virginia program to specify that the final compliance review conducted prior to permit issuance must occur no more than five business days before issuance.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Mississippi Abandoned Mine Land Plan (hereinafter, the Plan) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Mississippi proposes revisions to its Plan to allow its AML program to receive limited liability protection for certain non-coal reclamation projects. Mississippi intends to revise its Plan in order to meet the requirements of SMCRA and the implementing Federal regulations. This document gives the times and locations where the Mississippi Plan and this proposed amendment to that Plan are available for your inspection, establishes the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and describes the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are approving an amendment to the Colorado regulatory program (Colorado program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Colorado proposed both additions to and revisions of the rules and regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining concerning valid existing rights, ownership and control, and other regulatory issues. Additionally, Colorado proposed revisions to and additions of definitions supporting those proposed rule changes. Colorado revised its program to be consistent with SMCRA and the corresponding Federal regulations, clarify ambiguities, address all outstanding required rule changes, and improve operational efficiency.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Louisiana Abandoned Mine Land Plan (hereinafter, the Plan) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Louisiana proposes revisions to its Plan to allow its AML program to receive limited liability protection for certain non-coal reclamation projects. Louisiana intends to revise its Plan in order to meet the requirements of SMCRA and the implementing Federal regulations. This document gives the times and locations where the Louisiana Plan and this proposed amendment to that Plan are available for your inspection, establishes the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and describes the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) announces its decision to adopt the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Alton Coal Tract Lease by Application at the Coal Hollow Mine located in Kane County, UT. In accordance with Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA, and other applicable authorities, OSMRE has conducted an independent review and evaluation of the BLM's FEIS for the Alton Coal Tract Lease by Application at the Coal Hollow Mine dated July 2018. As a cooperating agency with responsibility for the Federal Lands Program and the preparation of mining plan decision documents for review by the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management (ASLM), OSMRE provided subject matter expertise to the BLM during the environmental review process. Based on its independent review and evaluation, OSMRE has determined the FEIS, including all supporting documentation, as incorporated by reference, adequately assesses and discloses the environmental impacts for the mining plan, and that adoption of the 2018 FEIS by OSMRE is authorized. Accordingly, OSMRE adopts the 2018 FEIS, and takes full responsibility for the scope and content that addresses the proposed mining plan at Coal Hollow Mine.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are reopening the public comment period and providing an opportunity for a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Illinois regulatory program (Illinois program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act) published on May 1, 2019. The public comment period is being reopened and an opportunity for a public hearing is being provided at the request of three Illinois citizen's organizations. The granting of this request affords the public additional time to provide written comment and the opportunity to request to speak at a public hearing. Illinois proposes revisions to its regulations, including allowing the extraction of coal as an incidental part of a government-financed construction project, revising its Ownership and Control rules, and clarifying land use changes requiring a significant permit revision. Illinois intends to revise its program to be as effective as the Federal regulations. This document gives the times and locations where the Illinois program documents and this proposed amendment to that program are available for your inspection, establishes the new comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and describes the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Missouri Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund and Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Restoration regulations (hereinafter, the Plan) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). As a result of Missouri's Red Tape Reduction Initiative (Executive Order 17- 03), Missouri proposes amendments to its Plan in order to reduce the volume of these regulations without reducing the Plan's requirements. Missouri also proposes revisions to several sections of its Plan to align with the 2006 amendments to SMCRA and the subsequent November 14, 2008, changes to the Federal regulations. This document gives the times and locations where the Missouri Plan and this proposed amendment to that Plan are available for your inspection, establishes the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and describes the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are approving an amendment to the North Dakota regulatory program (North Dakota program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). This amendment, proposed by North Dakota, makes numerous rule changes to the North Dakota Administrative Code for surface coal mining and reclamation operations based on statutory changes that were made during North Dakota's 2015 Legislative Session. The statutory changes added a definition of ``commercial leonardite'' (oxidized lignite) and excluded commercial leonardite from the statutory definition of ``coal.'' The statutory changes also added the phrase ``and commercial leonardite'' and ``or commercial leonardite'' to many other sections of North Dakota's reclamation statute. The statutory changes necessitated a number of similarly related changes to North Dakota's administrative rules. Finally, some of North Dakota's proposed rule revisions include minor non-substantive grammatical, codification, and statutory citation cross-reference changes. North Dakota's revisions are intended to improve operational efficiency. OSMRE does not have any corresponding statutes or regulations about leonardite, and the changes are consistent with OSMRE policy about leonardite. As such, North Dakota's proposed statutory and regulatory changes add specificity about the regulation of leonardite beyond that contained in SMCRA and the Federal regulations, and we are approving them. OSMRE's approval of North Dakota's proposed statutory and regulatory changes are solely for purposes of complying with SMCRA and may not be viewed as waiving any property interests that the United States may have in leonardite deposits that are part of the federal coal estate in certain lands in North Dakota.