Arkansas Regulatory Program and Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Plan

Federal Register, Volume 77 Issue 175 (Monday, September 10, 2012)

Federal Register Volume 77, Number 175 (Monday, September 10, 2012)

Proposed Rules

Pages 55430-55435

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2012-22233

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 904

SATS No. AR-040-FOR; Docket ID OSM-2012-0017

Arkansas Regulatory Program and Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Plan

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; public comment period on proposed amendment.

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SUMMARY: We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Arkansas regulatory program (Arkansas program) and the Arkansas abandoned mine land reclamation plan (Arkansas plan) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Arkansas proposes to revise substantial portions of its regulatory program and abandoned mine land reclamation plan, make grammatical changes, correct punctuation, revise dates, and delete and add citations. The proposed amendment consists of substantive changes to Arkansas's regulations regarding: Subchapter A--General; Subchapter F--Areas Unsuitable for Mining; Subchapter G--Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations Permits and Coal Exploration Procedures Systems; Subchapter J--Bond and Insurance Requirements for Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations; Subchapter K--State Program Performance Standards; Subchapter L--State Program Inspection and Enforcement Procedures; Subchapter M--Training Programs for Blasters and Members of Blasting Crews, and Certification Programs for Blasters; and Subchapter R--

Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation.

This document provides the times and locations that the Arkansas program, Arkansas plan, and this proposed amendment are available for your review; 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.

DATES: We will accept written comments on this amendment until 4:00 p.m., c.d.t., October 10, 2012. If requested, we will hold a public hearing on the amendment on October 5, 2012. We will accept requests to speak at a hearing until 4:00 p.m., c.d.t. on September 25, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by SATS No. AR-040-FOR, by any of the following methods:

Mail/Hand Delivery: Alfred L. Clayborne, Director, Tulsa Field Office, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1645 South 101st East Avenue, Suite 145, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74128-4629.

Fax: (918) 581-6419.

Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this rulemaking. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the ``Public Comment Procedures'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.

Docket: For access to the docket to review copies of the Arkansas regulations, this amendment, a listing of any scheduled public hearings, and all written comments received in response to this document, you must go to the address listed below during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. You may receive one free copy of the amendment by contacting OSM's Tulsa Field Office, or the full text of the program amendment available for you to read at www.regulations.gov.

Alfred L. Clayborne, Director, Tulsa Field Office, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1645 South 101st East Avenue, Suite 145, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74128-4629, Telephone: (918) 581-

6430 .

In addition, you may review a copy of the amendment during regular business hours at the following location: Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, 5301 Northshore Drive, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72118-5317, Telephone: (501) 682-0744.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alfred L. Clayborne, Director, Tulsa Field Office. Telephone: (918) 581-6430. Email: aclayborne@osmre.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background on the Arkansas Program

2. Description of the Proposed Amendment

3. Public Comment Procedures

4. Procedural Determinations

1. Background on the Arkansas Program

   Section 503(a) of the Act permits a State to assume primacy for the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations on non-

   Federal and non-Indian lands within its borders by demonstrating that its program includes, among other things, ``a State law which provides for the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations in accordance with the requirements of this Act * * *; and rules and regulations consistent with regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to this Act.'' See 30 U.S.C. 1253(a)(1) and (7). On the basis of these criteria, the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) conditionally approved the Arkansas program effective November 21, 1980. You can find background information on the Arkansas program, including the Secretary's findings, the disposition of comments, and the conditions of approval of the Arkansas program in the November 21, 1980, Federal Register (45 FR 77003). You can find later actions on the Arkansas program at 30 CFR 904.10, 904.12, and 904.15.

   The Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program was established by Title IV of the Act in response to concerns over extensive environmental damage caused by past coal mining activities. The program is funded by a reclamation fee collected on each ton of

   Page 55431

   coal that is produced. The money collected is used to finance the reclamation of abandoned coal mines and for other authorized activities. Section 405 of the Act allows States and Indian Tribes to assume exclusive responsibility for reclamation activity within the State or on Indian lands if they develop and submit to the Secretary of the Interior for approval, a program (often referred to as a plan) for the reclamation of abandoned coal mines. On the basis of these criteria, the Secretary of the Interior approved the Arkansas plan on May 2, 1983. You can find background information on the Arkansas plan, including the Secretary's findings, the disposition of comments, and the approval of the plan in the May 2, 1983, Federal Register (48 FR 19710). You can find later actions concerning the Arkansas plan at 30 CFR 904.25 and 904.26.

2. Description of the Proposed Amendment

   By letter dated June 25, 2012 (Administrative Record No. AR-572), Arkansas submitted a proposed amendment to its program and plan pursuant to SMCRA. Arkansas submitted the amendment in response to a September 30, 2009, letter (Administrative Record No. AR-571) from OSM in accordance with 30 CFR 732.17(c). Arkansas is also making substantial changes to other sections of its regulatory program and its abandoned mine land reclamation plan on its own initiative. The full text of the program amendment is available for you to read at the locations listed above under ADDRESSES.

   Arkansas proposes to revise substantial portions of its regulatory program and abandoned mine land reclamation plan, make grammatical changes, correct punctuation, revise dates, update addresses, and delete and add citations. Arkansas proposes to revise every section title throughout its regulations by replacing ``Section'' with ``Reg.20.'' and by deleting the title dates. Arkansas also proposes to replace the word ``Director'' with ``Department'' and replace the word ``Chapter'' with ``Code'' throughout its entire regulations. The Arkansas regulations that contain substantive changes are listed in the table below.

   Substantive Changes table

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   ARKANSAS REG.20. SECTIONS TITLE

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   SUBCHAPTER A--GENERAL

   PART 700--GENERAL

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   700.11, 700.12, and 700.16... Rulemaking Initiated by the Commission;

   Petitions to Initiate Rulemaking; and

   Employee Protection.

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   PART 701 STATE PROGRAM

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   701.5........................ Definitions.

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   PART 702 EXEMPTION FOR COAL EXTRACTION INCIDENTAL TO THE EXTRACTION OF

   OTHER MINERALS

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   702.13....................... Public Availability of Information.

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   PART 705--RESTRICTIONS ON FINANCIAL INTERESTS OF ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL

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   705.1 and 705.13............. Scope and When to File.

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   SUBCHAPTER F--AREAS UNSUITABLE FOR MINING

   PART 762--CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATING AREAS AS UNSUITABLE FOR SURFACE COAL

   MINING OPERATIONS

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   762.5........................ Definitions.

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   SUBCHAPTER G--SURFACE COAL MINING AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS PERMITS AND

   COAL EXPLORATION PROCEDURES SYSTEMS

   PART 770--GENERAL

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   770.5........................ Definitions.

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   PART 771--GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMITS AND APPLICATIONS

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   771.25....................... Permit Fees.

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   PART 776--GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COAL EXPLORATION OPERATIONS

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   776.17....................... Public Availability of Information.

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   PART 778--SURFACE MINING PERMIT APPLICATIONS--MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR

   LEGAL, FINANCIAL, COMPLIANCE AND RELATED INFORMATION

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   778.1, 778.2, 778.4, 778.6, Scope; Objectives; Responsibility;

   778.9, 778.11, 778.12, Applicability, Certifying and Updating

   778.13, 778.14, 778.15, Existing Permit Application Information;

   778.16, 778.17, 778.20, Applicant and Operator Information;

   778.21, and 778.22. Permit History Information; Property

   Interest Information; Violation

   Information; Right of Entry Information;

   Status of Unsuitability Claims; Permit

   Term Information; Identification of

   Location of Public Office for Filing of

   Application; Newspaper Advertisement and

   Proof of Publication; and Facilities or

   Structures Used in Common.

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   Page 55432

   PART 779--SURFACE MINING PERMIT APPLICATIONS--MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR

   INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

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   779.21....................... Analysis of Selected Overburden or

   Topsoil Mixtures.

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   PART 780--SURFACE MINING PERMIT APPLICATION--MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR

   RECLAMATION AND OPERATION PLAN

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   780.11, 780.13, 780.15, Operation Plan: General Requirements;

   780.16, 780.18, 780.21, Operation Plan: Blasting; Air Pollution

   780.23, 780.25, 780.28, Control Plan; Fish and Wildlife Plan;

   780.29, 780.35, 780.37, and Reclamation Plan: General Requirements;

   780.38. Reclamation Plan: Hydrologic

   Information; Reclamation Plan:

   Postmining Land Uses; Reclamation Plan:

   Siltation Structures, Impoundments,

   Banks, Dams, and Embankments; Activities

   In or Adjacent to Perennial or

   Intermittent Streams; Diversions;

   Disposal of Excess Spoil; Road Systems;

   and Support Facilities.

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   PART 782--UNDERGROUND MINING PERMIT APPLICATIONS--MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

   FOR LEGAL, FINANCIAL, COMPLIANCE, AND RELATED INFORMATION

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   782.1-782.21................. Scope; Objectives; Responsibilities;

   Applicability; Identification of

   Interests; Compliance Information; Right

   of Entry and Operation Information;

   Relationship to Areas Designated

   Unsuitable For Mining; Permit Term

   Information; Personal Injury and

   Property Damage Insurance Information;

   Identification of Other Licenses and

   Permits; Identification of Location of

   Public Office for Filing of Application;

   and Newspaper Advertisement and Proof of

   Publication.

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   PART 784--UNDERGROUND MINING PERMIT APPLICATIONS--MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

   FOR RECLAMATION AND OPERATION PLAN

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   784.14, 784.19, 784.20, and Reclamation Plan: Hydrologic Information;

   784.28. Underground Development Waste;

   Subsidence Control Plan; and Surface

   Activities in or Adjacent to Perennial

   or Intermittent Streams.

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   PART 785--REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMITS FOR SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF MINING

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   785.13, 785.14, 785.15, Experimental Practices Mining;

   785.16, 785.18, 785.22, and Mountaintop Removal Mining; Steep Slope

   785.25. Mining; Permits Incorporating Variances

   from Approximate Original Contour

   Restoration Requirements for Steep Slope

   Mining; Variances for Delay in

   Contemporaneous Reclamation Requirements

   in Combined Surface and Underground

   Mining Operations; In Situ Processing

   Activities; and Lands Eligible for

   Remining.

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   PART 786--REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMITS AND PERMIT PROCESSING

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   786.1, and 786.3-786.31...... Scope; Responsibilities; Pre-Application

   Conference; Regulatory Coordination with

   Requirements under Other Laws; Public

   Participation in Permit Processing;

   Review of Permit Applications; General

   Provisions for Review of Permit

   Application Information and Entry of

   Information into AVS; Review of

   Applicant, Operator, and Ownership and

   Control Information; Review of Permit

   History; Review of Compliance History;

   Permit Eligibility Determination;

   Unanticipated Events or Conditions at

   Remining Sites; Eligibility for

   Provisionally Issued Permits; Written

   Findings for Permit Application

   Approval; Performance Bond Submittal;

   Permit Conditions; Permit Issuance and

   Right of Renewal; Initial Review and

   Finding Requirements for Improvidently

   Issued Permits; Notice Requirements for

   Improvidently Issued Permits; Suspension

   or Rescission Requirements for

   Improvidently Issued Permits;

   Eligibility to Challenge Ownership or

   Control Listings and Findings;

   Procedures for Challenging an Ownership

   or Control Listing or Finding; Burden of

   Proof for Ownership or Control

   Challenges; Written Decision on

   Challenges to Ownership or Control

   Listings or Findings; Conditions of

   Permits: Environment, Public Health, and

   Safety; Improvidently Issued Permits:

   General Procedures; and Improvidently

   Issued Permits: Recision Procedures.

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   PART 787--ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL REVIEW OF DECISIONS

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   787.12....................... Judicial Review.

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   PART 788--REVISION; RENEWAL; TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT, OR SALE OF PERMIT

   RIGHTS; POST-PERMIT ISSUANCE REQUIREMENTS; AND OTHER ACTIONS BASED ON

   OWNERSHIP, CONTROL, AND VIOLATION INFORMATION

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   788.5, 788.9, 788.10, 788.11, Definitions; Post-Permit Issuance

   788.13, 788.14, 788.15, Requirements and Other Actions Based on

   788.16, 788.17, 788.18, and Ownership, Control, and Violation

   788.19. Information; Post-Permit Issuance

   Requirements for Permittees; Review of

   Permits; Permit Renewals: General

   Requirements; Permit Renewals: Completed

   Applications; Permit Renewals: Terms;

   Permit Renewals: Approval or Denial;

   Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of Permit

   Rights: General Requirements; Transfer,

   Assignments, or Sale of Permit Rights:

   Obtaining Approval; and Requirements for

   New Permits for Persons Succeeding to

   Rights Granted Under a Permit.

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   Page 55433

   SUBCHAPTER J--BOND AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR SURFACE COAL MINING

   AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS

   PART 800--BONDS AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR SURFACE COAL MINING AND

   RECLAMATION OPERATIONS UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM

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   800.23 and 800.40............ Self-bonding; and Requirement to Release

   Performance Bonds.

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   SUBCHAPTER K--STATE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

   PART 810--STATE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS GENERAL PROVISIONS

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   810.11....................... Applicability.

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   PART 816--PERMANENT PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS--SURFACE MINING

   ACTIVITIES

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   816.11, 816.13, 816.14, Signs and Markers; Casing and Sealing of

   816.15, 816.22, 816.41, Drilled Holes: General Requirements;

   816.42, 816.43, 816.44, Casing and Sealing of Drilled Holes:

   816.45, 816.46, 816.48, Temporary; Casing and Sealing of Drilled

   816.49, 816.50-S, 816.50-U, Holes: Permanent; Topsoil and Subsoil;

   816.51-S, 816.52-S, 816.53, Hydrologic Balance: Protection;

   816.54, 816.55, 816.56, Hydrologic Balance: Water Quality

   816.57; 816.61-U, 816.64-U, Standards and Effluent Limitations;

   816.68, 816.71, 816.100, Hydrologic Balance: Diversions;

   816.101-S, 816.101-U, Hydrologic Balance: Stream Channel

   816.102, 816.106, 816.107, Diversions; Hydrologic Balance: Sediment

   816.113, 816.114, 816.116, Control Measures; Hydrologic Balance:

   816.121-U, 816.122-U, Siltation Structures; Hydrologic

   816.133, 816.151, 816.180, Balance: Acid-forming and Toxic-forming

   and 816.181. Spoil; Impoundments, Hydrologic Balance:

   Ground Water Protection; Hydrologic

   Balance: Underground Mine Entry and

   Access Discharges; Hydrologic Balance:

   Protection of Groundwater Recharge

   Capacity; Hydrologic Balance: Surface

   And Groundwater Monitoring; Hydrologic

   Balance: Transfer Of Wells; Hydrologic

   Balance: Water Rights and Replacement;

   Hydrologic Balance: Discharge of Water

   into an Underground Mine; Hydrologic

   Balance: Postmining Rehabilitation of

   Sedimentation Ponds, Diversions,

   Impoundments, and Treatment Facilities;

   Hydrologic Balance: Activities in or

   Adjacent to Perennial or Intermittent

   Streams; Use of Explosives: General

   Requirements; Use of Explosives: Public

   Notice of Blasting Schedule; Use of

   Explosives: Records of Blasting

   Operations; Disposal of Excess Spoil:

   General Requirements; Contemporaneous

   Reclamation; Backfilling and Grading:

   Time and Distance Requirements;

   Backfilling and Grading: General

   Requirements; Backfilling and Grading:

   General Grading Requirements;

   Backfilling and Grading: Previously

   Mined Areas; Backfilling and Grading:

   Steep Slopes; Revegetation: Timing;

   Revegetation: Mulching and Other Soil

   Stabilizing Practices; Revegetation:

   Standards for Success; Subsidence

   Control: General Requirements;

   Subsidence Control: Public Notice;

   Postmining Land Use; Roads: Primary

   Roads; Utility Installations; and

   Support Facilities.

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   PART 817--PERMANENT PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS--UNDERGROUND MINING

   ACTIVITIES

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   817.1-817.181................ Scope; Objectives; Signs and Markers;

   Casing and Sealing of Exposed

   Underground Openings: General

   Requirements; Casing and Sealing of

   Underground Openings: Temporary; Casing

   and Sealing of Underground Openings:

   Permanent; Topsoil and Subsoil;

   Hydrologic Balance: Protection;

   Hydrologic Balance: Water Quality

   Standards and Effluent Limitations;

   Hydrologic Balance: Diversions;

   Hydrologic Balance: Sediment Control

   Measures; Hydrologic Balance: Siltation

   Structures; Hydrologic Balance:

   Discharge Structures; Impoundments;

   Hydrologic Balance: Postmining

   Rehabilitation of Sedimentation Ponds,

   Diversions, Impoundments, and Treatment

   Facilities; Hydrologic Balance: Surface

   Activities in or Adjacent to Perennial

   or Intermittent Streams; Coal Recovery;

   Use of Explosives: General Requirements;

   Use of Explosives: Pre-blasting Survey;

   Use of Explosives: Public Notice of

   Blasting Schedule; Use of Explosives:

   Blasting Signs, Warnings, and Access

   Control; Use of Explosives: Control of

   Adverse Effects; Use of Explosives:

   Seismographic Measurements; Use of

   Explosives: Records of Blasting

   Operations; Disposal of Excess Spoil:

   General Requirements; Disposal of Excess

   Spoil: Valley Fills/Head-of Hollow

   Fills; Disposal of Excess Spoil: Durable

   Rock Fills; Disposal of Excess Spoil:

   Pre-Existing Benches; Coal Mine Waste:

   General Requirements; Coal Mine Waste:

   Refuse Piles; Coal Mine Waste:

   Impounding Structures; Coal Mine Waste:

   Burning and Burned Waste Utilization;

   Disposal of Noncoal Mine Wastes;

   Stabilization of Surface Areas;

   Protection of Fish, Wildlife, and

   Related Environmental Values; Slides and

   Other Damage; Contemporaneous

   Reclamation; Backfilling and Grading:

   General Requirements; Backfilling and

   Grading: Previously Mined Areas;

   Backfilling and Grading: Steep Slopes;

   Revegetation: General Requirements;

   Revegetation: Timing; Revegetation:

   Mulching and Other Soil Stabilizing

   Practices; Revegetation: Standards for

   Success; Subsidence Control: General

   Requirements; Subsidence Control: Public

   Notice; Cessation of Operations:

   Temporary; Cessation of Operations:

   Permanent; Postmining Land Use; Roads:

   General; Roads: Primary Roads; Utility

   Installations; and Support Facilities.

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   PART 818--SPECIAL STATE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS--CONCURRENT

   SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND MINING

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   818.1-818.15................. Scope; Objective; Responsibilities;

   Applicability; Compliance with Variance;

   and Additional Performance Standards.

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   Page 55434

   PART 819--SPECIAL STATE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS--AUGER MINING

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   819.11, 819.13, 819.15, Auger Mining: General; Auger Mining: Coal

   819.17, 819.19, and 819.21. Recovery; Auger Mining: Hydrologic

   Balance; Auger Mining: Subsidence

   Protection; Auger Mining: Backfilling

   and Grading; and Auger Mining:

   Protection of Underground Mining.

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   PART 823--SPECIAL STATE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS--OPERATIONS ON

   PRIME FARMLAND

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   823.15....................... Revegetation and Restoration of Soil

   Productivity.

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   PART 827--SPECIAL STATE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS COAL PROCESSING

   PLANTS AND SUPPORT FACILITIES NOT LOCATED AT OR NEAR THE MINE SITE OR

   NOT WITHIN THE PERMIT AREA FOR A MINE

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   827.12....................... Coal Processing Plants: Performance

   Standards.

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   SUBCHAPTER L--STATE PROGRAM INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES

   PART 842--INSPECTIONS

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   842.11 and 842.15............ Inspections and Review of Decision Not to

   Inspect or Enforce.

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   PART 843--ENFORCEMENT

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   843.11, 843.15, and 843.16... Cessation Orders; Informal Public

   Hearing; and Formal Review of Citations.

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   PART 845--CIVIL PENALTIES

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   845.12, 845.13, 845.14, When Penalty Will Be Assessed; Point

   845.15, 845.17, 845.18, System for Penalties; Determination of

   845.19, and 845.20. Amount of Penalty; Assessment of

   Separate Violations for Each Day;

   Procedures for Assessment of Civil

   Penalties; Procedures for Assessment

   Conference; Request for Adjudicatory

   Public Hearing; and Final Assessment and

   Payment of Penalty.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PART 846--INDIVIDUAL CIVIL PENALTIES

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   846.5, 846.14, 846.17, and Definitions; Amount of Individual Civil

   846.18. Penalty; Procedure for Assessment of

   Individual Civil Penalty; and Payment of

   Penalty.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PART 847--ALTERNATIVE ENFORCEMENT

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   847.1-847.16................. Scope; General Provisions; Criminal

   Penalties; and Civil Actions for Relief.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   SUBCHAPTER M--TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR BLASTERS AND MEMBERS OF BLASTING

   CREWS, AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR BLASTERS

   PART 850--PROGRAMS

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   850.16....................... Reciprocity.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   SUBCHAPTER R--ABANDONED MINE LAND RECLAMATION

   PART 874--GENERAL RECLAMATION REQUIREMENTS

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   874.12, 874.13, and 874.16... Eligible Lands and Water; Reclamation

   Objectives and Priorities; and

   Contractor Eligibility.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PART 877--RIGHTS OF ENTRY

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   877.11, 877.12, 877.13, and Consent to Entry; Entry for Studies or

   877.14. Exploration; Entry and Consent to

   Reclaim; and Entry for Emergency

   Reclamation.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PART 879--ACQUISITION, MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSITION OF LANDS AND WATER

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   879.11, 879.12, 879.13, and Land Eligible for Acquisition; Procedures

   879.15. for Acquisition; Acceptance of Gifts of

   Land; and Disposition of Reclaimed

   Lands.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PART 882--RECLAMATION ON PRIVATE LAND

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   882.13....................... Liens.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PART 900--PROCEDURES FOR HEARING AND APPEALS

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   900.2, 900.3, 900.4, 900.5, Filing of Documents; Form of Documents;

   900.6, 900.7, 900.9, and Service and Proof of Service;

   900.12. Intervention, Voluntary Dismissal;

   Motions; Advancement of Proceedings, and

   Other Procedures.

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   Page 55435

   PART--920 ADJUDICATORY HEARINGS

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   920.1, 920.2, 920.3, 920.7, Presiding Officers; Powers of Presiding

   and 920.8. Officers; Notice of Hearing; Initial

   Orders and Decisions; and Effect of

   Initial Order or Decision.

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   PART 930--DISCOVERY

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   930.1........................ Discovery.

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PART 940--TEMPORARY AND EXPEDITED REVIEW

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   940.3........................ Procedures for Expedited Review.

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   PART 960--APPEALS

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------

   960.2-960.7.................. Appeals: How Taken; Answer; Stay Pending

   Appeal; Certified Transcript; Record on

   Appeal; and Extended Time for Appeals.

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3. Public Comment Procedures

   Under the provisions of 30 CFR 732.17(h), we are seeking your comments on whether Arkansas's proposed amendment satisfies the applicable program approval criteria of 30 CFR 732.15. If we approve the amendment, it will become part of the Arkansas State program.

   Under the provisions of 30 CFR 884.15(a), we are requesting comments on whether the amendment satisfies the applicable State reclamation plan approval criteria of 30 CFR 884.14. If we approve the amendment, it will become part of the Arkansas plan.

   Electronic or Written Comments

   If you submit written comments, they should be specific, confined to issues pertinent to the proposed regulations, and explain the reason for any recommended change(s). We appreciate any and all comments, but those most useful and likely to influence decisions on the final regulations will be those that either involve personal experience or include citations to and analyses of SMCRA, its legislative history, its implementing regulations, case law, other pertinent State or Federal laws or regulations, technical literature, or other relevant publications.

   We cannot ensure that comments received after the close of the comment period (see DATES) or sent to an address other than those listed (see ADDRESSES) will be included in the docket for this rulemaking and considered.

   Public Availability of Comments

   Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

   Public Hearing

   If you wish to speak at the public hearing, contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by 4:00 p.m., c.d.t. on September 25, 2012. If you are disabled and need reasonable accommodations to attend a public hearing, contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. We will arrange the location and time of the hearing with those persons requesting the hearing. If no one requests an opportunity to speak, we will not hold a hearing.

   To assist the transcriber and ensure an accurate record, we request, if possible, that each person who speaks at the public hearing provide us with a written copy of his or her comments. The public hearing will continue on the specified date until everyone scheduled to speak has been given an opportunity to be heard. If you are in the audience and have not been scheduled to speak and wish to do so, you will be allowed to speak after those who have been scheduled. We will end the hearing after everyone scheduled to speak and others present in the audience who wish to speak, have been heard.

   Public Meeting

   If only one person requests an opportunity to speak, we may hold a public meeting rather than a public hearing. If you wish to meet with us to discuss the amendment, please request a meeting by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All such meetings are open to the public and, if possible, we will post notices of meetings at the locations listed under ADDRESSES. We will make a written summary of each meeting a part of the administrative record.

4. Procedural Determinations

   Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review

   This rule is exempted from review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866.

   Other Laws and Executive Orders Affecting Rulemaking

   When a State submits a program amendment to OSM for review, our regulations at 30 CFR 732.17(h) require us to publish a notice in the Federal Register indicating receipt of the proposed amendment, its text or a summary of its terms, and an opportunity for public comment. We conclude our review of the proposed amendment after the close of the public comment period and determine whether the amendment should be approved, approved in part, or not approved. At that time, we will also make the determinations and certifications required by the various laws and executive orders governing the rulemaking process and include them in the final rule.

   List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 904

   Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

   Dated: July 18, 2012.

   Ervin J. Barchenger,

   Regional Director, Mid-Continent Region.

   FR Doc. 2012-22233 Filed 9-7-12; 8:45 am

   BILLING CODE 4310-05-P