Permanent program and abandoned mine land reclamation plan submissions: Maryland,

[Federal Register: June 17, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 116)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 33848-33850]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr17jn04-8]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 920

[MD-053-FOR]

Maryland Regulatory Program

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

ACTION: Final rule; approval of amendment.

SUMMARY: We are approving an amendment to the Maryland regulatory program (the Maryland program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The program amendment consists of changes to the Annotated Code of Maryland as contained in House Bill 893. The amendment requires the Department of the Environment to take action for permit applications, permit revisions, and revised applications within certain time periods. The amendment is intended to require the timely review of applications for open-pit mining permits.

DATES: Effective Date: June 17, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Rieger, Telephone: (412) 937- 2153. Internet: grieger@osmre.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background on the Maryland Program II. Submission of the Proposed Amendment III. OSM's Findings IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments V. OSM's Decision VI. Procedural Determinations

1. Background on the Maryland 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 State 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 the Act * * *; and rules and regulations consistent with regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to the Act.'' See 30 U.S.C. 1253(a)(1) and (7). On the basis of these criteria, the Secretary of the Interior conditionally approved the Maryland program on December 1, 1980. You can find background information on the Maryland program, including the Secretary's findings, the disposition of comments, and conditions of approval in the December 1, 1980, Federal Register (45 FR 79430). You can also find later actions concerning Maryland's program and program amendments at 30 CFR 920.12, 920.15 and 920.16.

2. Submission of the Proposed Amendment

   By letter dated January 7, 2004 (Administrative Record Number MD- 586-00), Maryland sent us an amendment to its program under SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.). Maryland sent the amendment to include changes made at its own initiative. The amendment consists of Maryland House Bill 893, which was enacted to require the Department of the Environment to review an application for an open-pit mining permit in a timely manner. The bill revises the Annotated Code of Maryland, and requires the Department of the Environment to take action for permit applications, permit revisions, and revised applications within certain time periods.

   [[Page 33849]]

   We announced receipt of the proposed amendment in the March 11, 2004, Federal Register (69 FR 11562). In the same document, we opened the public comment period and provided an opportunity for a public hearing or meeting on the amendment's adequacy. We did not hold a public hearing or meeting because no one requested one. The public comment period ended on April 12, 2004. We received responses from two Federal agencies.

3. OSM's Findings

   Following are the findings we made concerning the amendment under SMCRA and the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 732.15 and 732.17. We are approving the amendment.

   At section 15-505(d)(6), the words ``in a timely manner'' are added to the end of the provision as follows:

   (6) The Department shall review all aspects of the application, including information pertaining to any other permit required from the Department for the proposed strip mining operation in a timely manner.

   Section 15-505(d)(7) is amended by adding new (7)(i)1., (7)(i)2., (7)(i)2.A., (7)(i)2.B., and (7)(iii). As amended, section 15-505(d)(7) provides as follows:

   (7)(i) Upon completion of the review required by paragraph (6) of this subsection, the Department shall grant, require modification of, or deny the application for a permit and notify the applicant and any participant to a public informational hearing, in writing, of its decision:

   1. Within 90 days after the date the Department determines that an application for a new permit or an application for permit revision that proposes significant alterations in the permit is complete; or

   2. Within 45 days after receiving:

   1. A revised application for a new permit; or

   2. An application for a permit revision that does not propose significant alterations in the permit.

   (ii) The applicant for a permit shall have the burden of establishing that the application is in compliance with all of the requirements of this subtitle and the rules and regulations issued under this subtitle.

   (iii) The Department may provide for one extension of the deadlines in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph for up to 30 days by notifying the applicant in writing prior to the expiration of the original deadlines.

   We find that these amendments are no less stringent than SMCRA section 510(a). SMCRA section 510(a) provides that, on the basis of a complete mining application and reclamation plan or a revision or renewal thereof, the regulatory authority shall grant, require modification of, or deny the application for a permit in a reasonable time set by the regulatory authority. We find the proposed amendment at 15-505(d)(6), which requires the timely review of all aspects of the application, to be in accordance with and no less stringent than SMCRA section 510(a) and can be approved. In addition, we find that the time limits and requirements at paragraphs 15-505(d)(7)(i)1. and 2., and the possible extension of up to 30 days identified at 15-505(d)(7)(iii) are reasonable and not inconsistent with section 510(a) of SMCRA and can be approved.

4. Summary and Disposition of Comments

   Public Comments

   We asked for public comments on the amendment (Administrative Record Number MD-586-04), but did not receive any.

   Federal Agency Comments

   Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i) and section 503(b) of SMCRA, we requested comments on the amendment from various Federal agencies with an actual or potential interest in the Maryland program (Administrative Record No. MD-586-01). We received a response from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (Administrative Record Number MD- 586-03). The NRCS stated that it had no comments.

   Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Concurrence and Comments

   Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i) and (ii), we are required to get a written concurrence from EPA for those provisions of the program amendment that relate to air or water quality standards issued under the authority of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) or the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.). None of the amendments that Maryland proposed to make in this amendment pertain to air or water quality standards. Therefore, we did not ask EPA to concur on the amendment.

   Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(ii), we requested comments on the amendment from EPA (Administrative Record Number MD-586-01). By letter dated February 25, 2004, EPA stated that there are no apparent inconsistencies with the Clean Water Act or other statutes under the jurisdiction of EPA (Administrative Record No. MD-586-02).

5. OSM's Decision

   Based on the above findings, we are approving the amendment that Maryland forwarded to us on January 7, 2004.

   To implement this decision, we are amending the Federal regulations at 30 CFR part 920, which codify decisions concerning the Maryland program. We find that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to make this final rule effective immediately. Section 503(a) of SMCRA requires that Maryland's program demonstrate that it has the capability of carrying out the provisions of the Act and meeting its purposes. Making this regulation effective immediately will expedite that process. SMCRA requires consistency of Maryland and Federal standards.

6. Procedural Determinations

   Executive Order 12630--Takings

   This rule does not have takings implications. This determination is based on the analysis performed for the counterpart Federal regulation.

   Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review

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

   Executive Order 12988--Civil Justice Reform

   The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required by section 3 of Executive Order 12988 and has determined that this rule meets the applicable standards of subsections (a) and (b) of that section. However, these standards are not applicable to the actual language of State regulatory programs and program amendments because each program is drafted and promulgated by a specific State, not by OSM. Under sections 503 and 505 of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1253 and 1255) and the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 730.11, 732.15, and 732.17(h)(10), decisions on proposed State regulatory programs and program amendments submitted by the States must be based solely on a determination of whether the submittal is consistent with SMCRA and its implementing Federal regulations and whether the other requirements of 30 CFR parts 730, 731, and 732 have been met.

   Executive Order 13132--Federalism

   This rule does not have Federalism implications. SMCRA delineates the roles of the Federal and State governments with regard to the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations. One of the purposes of SMCRA is to ``establish a nationwide program to protect society and the environment from the adverse effects of surface coal mining operations''. Section 503(a)(1) of SMCRA requires that State laws regulating surface coal mining and reclamation operations be ``in accordance with'' the requirements of SMCRA, and section 503(a)(7) requires that State programs contain rules and regulations ``consistent with''

   [[Page 33850]]

   regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to SMCRA.

   Executive Order 13175--Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

   In accordance with Executive Order 13175, we have evaluated the potential effects of this rule on Federally-recognized Indian tribes and have determined that the rule does not have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal government and Indian tribes. The basis for this determination is that our decision is on a State regulatory program and does not involve a Federal program involving Indian tribes.

   Executive Order 13211--Regulations That Significantly Affect The Supply, Distribution, or Use of Energy

   On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 which requires agencies to prepare a Statement of Energy Effects for a rule that is (1) considered significant under Executive Order 12866, and (2) likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. Because this rule is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866 and is not expected to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, a Statement of Energy Effects is not required.

   National Environmental Policy Act

   This rule does not require an environmental impact statement because section 702(d) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1292(d)) provides that agency decisions on proposed State regulatory program provisions do not constitute major Federal actions within the meaning of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).

   Paperwork Reduction Act

   This rule does not contain information collection requirements that require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507 et seq.).

   Regulatory Flexibility Act

   The Department of the Interior certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). The State submittal, which is the subject of this rule, is based upon counterpart Federal regulations for which an economic analysis was prepared and certification made that such regulations would not have a significant economic effect upon a substantial number of small entities. In making the determination as to whether this rule would have a significant economic impact, the Department relied upon the data and assumptions for the counterpart Federal regulations.

   Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

   This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule: (a) Does not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million; (b) will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; and (c) does not have significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. This determination is based upon the fact that the State submittal that is the subject of this rule is based upon counterpart Federal regulations for which an analysis was prepared and a determination made that the Federal regulation was not considered a major rule.

   Unfunded Mandates

   This rule will not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, or tribal governments or the private sector of $100 million or more in any given year. This determination is based upon the fact that the State submittal, which is the subject of this rule, is based upon counterpart Federal regulations for which an analysis was prepared and a determination made that the Federal regulation did not impose an unfunded mandate.

   List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 920

   Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

   Dated: May 20, 2004. Brent Wahlquist, Regional Director, Appalachian Regional Coordinating Center.

   0 For the reasons set out in the preamble, 30 CFR part 920 is amended as set forth below:

   PART 920--MARYLAND

   0 1. The authority citation for part 920 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.

   0 2. Section 920.15 is amended in the table by adding a new entry in chronological order by ``Date of final publication'' to read as follows:

   Sec. 920.15 Approval of Maryland regulatory program amendments.

   * * * * *

   Original amendment submission Date of final

   Citation/ date

   publication

   description

   * * * * * * * January 7, 2004................. June 17, 2004..... M.C.A. Section 15- 505(d)(6), (d)(7)(i)1., (d)(7)(i)2., (d)(7)(i)2.A., (d)(7)(i)2.B., and (d)(7)(iii).

   [FR Doc. 04-13674 Filed 6-16-04; 8:45 am]

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