Arkansas Regulatory Program and Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Plan
Federal Register, Volume 76 Issue 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)
Federal Register Volume 76, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)
Proposed Rules
Pages 76104-76109
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2011-31292
Page 76104
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
30 CFR Part 904
SATS No. AR-039-FOR; Docket ID: OSM-2011-0016
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 their regulatory program and abandoned mine land plan, make grammatical changes, correct punctuation, revise dates, and add citations. The proposed amendment consists of substantive changes to Arkansas regulations regarding Subchapter A--
General Requirements; 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 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 the proposed amendment 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.
DATES: We will accept written comments on this amendment until 4 p.m., c.s.t., January 5, 2012. If requested, we will hold a public hearing on the amendment on January 3, 2012. We will accept requests to speak at a hearing until 4 p.m., c.s.t. on December 21, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by SATS No. AR-039-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: The amendment has been assigned Docket ID OSM-2011-0016. If you would like to submit comments go to 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 you can view the full text of the program amendment available for you to read at http://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:
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Background on the Arkansas Program
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Description of the Proposed Amendment
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Public Comment Procedures
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Procedural Determinations
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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, 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 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.
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Description of the Proposed Amendment
By letter dated August 26, 2011 (Administrative Record No. AR-
571.06), Arkansas submitted a proposed amendment to its program and plan pursuant to SMCRA. Arkansas submitted the amendment in response to a September 30, 2009 (Administrative Record No. AR-571), letter 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 plan on its own initiative. The full text of the program amendment is available for you to read at the
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locations listed above under ADDRESSES or at http://www.regulations.gov.
Arkansas proposes to revise every section title throughout its code by replacing ``Section'' with ``Reg.20.'' and by deleting the title dates. Arkansas also plans to replace the references to ``Section'' with ``Reg.20.,'' replace the word ``Director'' with ``Department,'' and replace the word ``Chapter'' with ``Code'' throughout their regulations.
Arkansas proposes to revise substantial portions of their regulatory program and abandoned mine land plan, make grammatical changes, correct punctuation, revise dates, and add citations. 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............................. Scope.
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PART 762--CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATING AREAS AS UNSUITABLE FOR SURFACE COAL
MINING OPERATIONS
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762.5............................. Definition.
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SUBCHAPTER G--SURFACE COAL MINING AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS PERMITS AND
COAL EXPLORATION PROCEDURES SYSTEMS
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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, 778.9, Scope; Objectives; Responsibility;
778.11, 778.12, 778.13, 778.14, Applicability, Certifying and
778.17, 778.20, 778.21, and Updating Existing Permit
778.22. Application Information; Applicant
and Operator Information; Permit
History Information; Property
Interest Information; Violation
Information; 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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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 785--REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMITS FOR SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF MINING
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785.14, 785.16, 785.18, and 785.25 Mountaintop Removal 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;
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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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, 788.16, Requirements and Other Actions
788.17, 788.18, and 788.19. Based on Ownership, Control, and
Violation Information; Post-Permit
Issuance Requirements for
Permittees; Review of Permits;
Permit Renewals: General Permit
Renewals: Completed Applications;
Permit Renewals: Terms; Permit
Renewals: Approval or Denial;
Transfer, Assignment, or Sale of
Permit Rights, Transfer,
Assignments, or Sale of Permit
Rights; 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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SUBCHAPTER J--BOND AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR SURFACE COAL MINING
AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS
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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
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PART 810--STATE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS GENERAL
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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, 816.22, Signs and Markers; Casing and
816.41, 816.42, 816.43, 816.44, Sealing of Drilled Holes General
816.46, 816.48, 816.49, 816.50-S, Requirements; Casing and Sealing of
816.50-U, 816.51-S, 816.52-S, Drilled Holes: Temporary; Topsoil
816.53, 816.54, 816. 55, 816.61- and Subsoil; Hydrologic Balance:
U, 816.64-U, 816.68, 816.71, Protection; Hydrologic Balance:
816.100, 816.101-S, 816.101-U, Water Quality Standards and
816.102, 816.106, 816.107, Effluent Limitations; Hydrologic
816.113, 816.114, 816.116, Balance: Diversions; Hydrologic
816.121-U, 816.122-U, 816.133, Balance: Stream Channel Diversions;
816.180, and 816.181. Hydrologic Balance: Siltation
Structure; Hydrologic Balance: Acid-
forming and Toxic-forming 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; 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; 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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PART 819--SPECIAL STATE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS--AUGER MINING
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819.11, 819.1, 819.15, 819.17, Auger Mining; Auger Mining: Coal
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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PROCEDURES PART 842--INSPECTIONS
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842.11............................ Inspections
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PART 843--ENFORCEMENT
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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
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845.11, 845.13, 845.15, 845.17, How Assessments are Made; Point
845.18, 845.19, and 845.20. System for Penalties; 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.
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PART 846--INDIVIDUAL CIVIL PENALTIES
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846.5, 846.14, 846.17, and 846.18. Definitions; Amount of Individual
Civil Penalty; Procedure for
Assessment of Individual Civil
Penalty; and Payment of Penalty.
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PART 847--ALTERNATIVE ENFORCEMENT
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847.1-847.16...................... Scope; General Provisions; Criminal
Penalties; and Civil Actions for
Relief.
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SUBCHAPTER M--TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR BLASTERS AND MEMBERS OF BLASTING
CREWS, AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR BLASTERS
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PART 850--PROGRAMS
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850.16............................ Reciprocity.
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SUBCHAPTER R--ABANDONED MINE LAND RECLAMATION
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PART 874--GENERAL RECLAMATION REQUIREMENTS
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874.12, 874.13, and 874.16........ Eligible Lands and Water;
Reclamation Objectives and
Priorities; and Contractor
Eligibility.
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PART 877--RIGHTS OF ENTRY
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877.11, 877.12, 877.13, and 877.14 Consent to Entry; Entry for Studies
or Exploration; Entry and Consent
to Reclaim; and Entry for Emergency
Reclamation.
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PART 879--ACQUISITION, MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSITION OF LANDS AND WATER
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879.11, 879.12, 879.13, and 879.15 Land Eligible for Acquisition;
Procedures for Acquisition;
Acceptance of Gifts of Land; and
Disposition of Reclaimed Lands.
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PART 882--RECLAMATION ON PRIVATE LAND
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882.13............................ Liens.
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PART 900--PROCEDURES FOR HEARING AND APPEALS
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900.2, 900.3, 900.4, 900.5, 900.6, Filing of Documents; Form of
900.7, 900.9, and 900.12. Documents; Service and Proof of
Service; Intervention, Voluntary
Dismissal; Motions; Advancement of
Proceedings; and Other Procedures.
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PART--920 ADJUDICATORY HEARINGS
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920.1, 920.2, 920.3, 920.7, and Presiding Officers; Powers of
920.8. Presiding Officers; Notice of
Hearing; Initial Orders and
Decisions; and Effect of Initial
Order or Decision.
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PART 930--DISCOVERY
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930.1............................. Discovery.
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PART 940--TEMPORARY AND EXPEDITED REVIEW
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940.3............................. Procedures for Expedited Review.
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PART 960--APPEALS
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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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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 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
Page 76109
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 p.m., c.s.t. on December 21, 2011. 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.
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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: October 14, 2011.
Ervin J. Barchenger,
Regional Director, Mid-Continent Region.
FR Doc. 2011-31292 Filed 12-5-11; 8:45 am
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