[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23823]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 27, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
30 CFR Part 944

 

Utah Regulatory Program

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

ACTION: Final rule; approval of amendment.

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SUMMARY: OSM is approving a proposed amendment to the Utah regulatory 
program (hereinafter referred to as the ``Utah program'') under the 
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Utah 
proposed revisions to the Utah Coal Mining Rules pertaining to coal 
exploration subject to provisions of 43 CFR 3480 through 3487, 
responsibilities of the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (Division) 
regarding coal exploration, requirements for coal exploration approval, 
notices of intention to conduct minor coal exploration, coal 
exploration compliance and required documents to be available in the 
exploration area, and performance standards for coal exploration 
operations that substantially disturb the natural land surface. Utah 
proposed the amendment with the intent of streamlining the Utah 
regulatory program and making the exploration process more responsive 
to field needs for coal seam information.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 27, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Thomas E. Ehmett, telephone: (505) 766-1486.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background on the Utah Program

    On January 21, 1981, the Secretary of the Interior conditionally 
approved the Utah program for the regulation of coal exploration and 
coal mining and reclamation operations on non-Federal and non-Indian 
lands. General background information on the Utah program, including 
the Secretary's findings, the disposition of comments, and the 
conditions of approval of the Utah program can be found in the January 
21, 1981, Rederal Register (46 FR 5899). Subsequent actions concerning 
Utah's program and program amendments can be found at 30 CFR 944.15, 
944.16, and 944.30.

II. Proposed Amendment

    By letter dated January 27, 1994, Utah submitted a proposed 
amendment to its program pursuant to SMCRA (administrative record No. 
UT-888). Utah submitted the proposed amendment at its own initiative. 
The provisions of the Utah Coal Mining Rules that Utah proposed to 
revise pertain to its coal exploration rules at Utah Administrative 
Rule (Utah Admin. R.) 645-200-100, scope of rules for coal exploration; 
Utah Admin. R. 645-200-200, responsibilities of the Division; Utah 
Admin. R. 645-201-100, requirements for coal exploration approval; Utah 
Admin. R. 645-201-200, notices of intention to conduct minor coal 
exploration; and Utah Admin. R. 645-202-100, required documents.
    OSM announced receipt of the proposed amendment in the February 25, 
1994, Federal Register (59 FR 9153), provided an opportunity for a 
public hearing or meeting on its substantive adequacy, and invited 
public comment on its adequacy (administrative record No. UT-897). 
Because no one requested a public hearing or meeting, none was held. 
The public comment period ended on March 28, 1994.
    During its review of the amendment, OSM (1) identified concerns 
relating to the provisions of the Utah Coal Mining Rules at Utah Admin. 
R. 645-202-232, roads and other transportation facilities, and Utah 
Admin. R. 645-202-235, disturbance of the hydrologic balance, and (2) 
provided editorial comments. OSM notified Utah of the concerns by 
letter dated April 15, 1994 (administrative record No. UT-915).
    Utah responded in a letter dated May 10, 1994, by submitting a 
revised amendment (administrative record No. UT-921). Utah proposed 
revisions to Utah Admin. R. 645-200-200, responsibilities; Utah Admin. 
R. 645-201-100, responsibilities for coal exploration plan review; Utah 
Admin. R. 645-201-200, notices of intention to conduct minor coal 
exploration; Utah Admin. R. 645-201-300, major coal exploration 
permits; Utah Admin. R. 645-202-100, required documents; and Utah 
Admin. R. 645-202-200, performance standards.
    OSM announced receipt of the proposed revised amendment in the May 
24, 1994, Federal Register (59 FR 26767) and reopened and extended the 
public comment period (administrative record No. UT-932). The public 
comment period ended on June 8, 1994.
    During its review of the revised amendment, OSM identified 
additional concerns relating to (1) Utah Admin. R. 645-200-122, 645-
200-123, and 645-201-210, lands designated as unsuitable for surface 
coal mining, and (2) Utah Admin. R. 645-202-235, disturbance of the 
hydrologic balance. OSM notified Utah of the concerns by letter dated 
July 7, 1994 (administrative record No. UT-943).
    Utah responded in a letter dated July 11, 1994, by submitting a 
revised amendment (administrative record No. UT-950). Utah proposed 
revisions to Utah Admin. R. 645-200-100, scope of rules for coal 
exploration; Utah Admin. R. 645-201-200, notices of intention to 
conduct minor coal exploration; and Utah Admin. R. 645-202-200, 
performance standards.
    Based upon the additional revisions to the proposed program 
amendment submitted by Utah, OSM reopened the public comment period in 
the July 29, 1994, Federal Register (59 FR 38578, administrative record 
No. UT-956). The public comment period ended on August 15, 1994.

III. Director's Findings

    As discussed below, the Director, in accordance with SMCRA and 30 
CFR 732.15 and 732.17, finds that the proposed program amendment 
submitted by Utah on January 27, 1994, and as revised by it on May 10 
and July 11, 1994, is no less effective than the corresponding Federal 
regulations.
    Accordingly, the Director approves the proposed amendment.

1. Nonsubstantive Revisions to Utah's Coal Mining Rules

    Utah proposed revisions to the following previously approved rules 
that are nonsubstantive in nature and consist of minor editorial or 
grammatical changes (the corresponding Federal regulation provisions 
are listed in parentheses):

Utah Admin. R. 645-201-323.100 (30 CFR 772.12(b)(8)(iv)), narrative 
description of the proposed exploration area, and
Utah Admin. R. 645-201-342.200 (30 CFR 772.12(d)(2)(ii)), approval or 
disapproval of an application for a major coal exploration permit.

    Because the proposed revisions to these previously approved rules 
are nonsubstantive in nature, the Director finds that the proposed Utah 
rules are no less effective than the corresponding Federal regulations. 
The Director approves these proposed rules.

2. Substantive Revisions to Utah's Coal Mining Rules That Are 
Substantially Identical to the Corresponding Provisions of the Federal 
Regulations

    Utah proposed revisions to the following rules that are substantive 
in nature and contain language that is substantially identical to the 
requirements of the corresponding Federal regulation provisions (listed 
in parentheses):

Utah Admin. R. 645-200-121 (30 CFR 772.1), coal exploration which is 
subject to 43 CFR parts 3480 through 3487,
Utah Admin. R. 645-201-200 through 220 (30 CFR 772.11), notices of 
intention to conduct minor coal exploration,
Utah Admin. R. 645-202-100 (30 CFR 815.13), required documents,
Utah Admin. R. 645-202-232 (30 CFR 815.15(b)), performance standards 
for roads or other transportation facilities used for coal exploration, 
and
Utah Admin. R. 645-202-235 (30 CFR 815.15(i), performance standards 
which minimize disturbance of the hydrologic balance.

    Because these proposed Utah rules are substantially identical to 
the corresponding provisons of the Federal regulations, the Director 
finds that they are no less effective than the Federal regulations. The 
Director approves these proposed rules.

3. Utah Admin. R. 645-200-122, R. 645-200-123, 645-201-223, and 645-
201-310, Coal Exploration in Relation to an Approved Permit Area

    Utah proposed that its rules at Utah Admin. R. 645-200-122, 645-
200-123, 645-201-223, and 645-201-310 setting forth the scope of Utah's 
coal exploration rules, would apply to ``coal exploration'' instead of 
coal exploration that occurs ``outside an approved permit area'' or 
coal exploration that occurs'' ``in relation to an approved permit 
area.''
    The corresponding Federal regulations at 30 CFR 772.11, for coal 
exploration operations removing 250 tons or less of coal, and at 30 CFR 
772.12, for coal exploration operations removing more than 250 tons of 
coal, apply to coal exploration conducted ``outside a permit area.'' In 
promulgating this language, OSM explained in the preamble for these 
Federal regulations that a coal exploration permit is not appropriate 
for coal exploration on lands covered by a surface coal mining permit 
because exploration within the permit area should have been planned as 
an integral part of the surface coal mining and reclamation operations 
(44 FR 14901, 15017-8; March 13, 1979). The effect of these Federal 
regulations is that, for proposed coal exploration within the permit 
area, the State regulatory authority would review and approve, as 
appropriate, the proposed coal exploration in conjunction with the 
review and approval of a permit application, and for coal exploration 
outside the permit area, would review and approve the proposed coal 
exploration pursuant to the appropriate rules for coal exploration.
    Utah's proposed deletions of the phrases concerning approved permit 
areas are consistent with OSM's regulations and the rationale for them 
in the preamble to the Federal regulations. Therefore, the Director 
finds that Utah's proposed revisions to Utah Amin. R. 645-200-122, 645-
200-123, 645-201-223, and 645-201-310 are no less effective than the 
corresponding Federal regulations at 30 CFR 772.11 and 772.12. The 
Director approves these proposed rules.

4. Utah Admin. R. 645-200-220, 645-200-230, and 645-201-100 through 
645-201-130, Responsibilities of the Division and Coal Exploration Plan 
Review

    Utah proposed revisions to its rules at (1) Utah Admin. R. 645-200-
220 to provide that it is the Division's responsibility to review and 
enforce the terms of each notice of intention to conduct coal 
exploration; (2) Utah Amin. R. 645-200-230 to provide that it is the 
Division's responsibility to review and approve or disapprove major 
coal exploration applications and issue, condition, suspend, revoke, 
and enforce major coal exploration permits and coordinate with other 
government agencies; and (3) Utah Admin. R. 645-201-100 through 645-
201-130 to provide that it is the Division's responsibility to review 
coal exploration plans on lands which are not subject to the 
requirements of 43 CFR 3480 through 3487, and to provide that, on lands 
[Federal lands] where the requirements of 43 CFR 3480 through 3487 
apply, the review of coal exploration plans will be guided by the 
appropriate part of 43 CFR.
    The Federal regulations at 30 CFR part 772 establish the 
requirements and procedures applicable to coal exploration operations 
on all lands except for Federal lands subject to the requirements of 43 
CFR parts 3480 through 3487. The Federal regulations at 43 CFR 3480 
through 3487 pertain to operations for the exploration, development, 
and production of Federal coal under Federal coal leases, licenses, and 
permits, regardless of surface ownership, pursuant to the Mineral 
Leasing Act of February 25, 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. 181, et seq.). 
The responsibility for administration of the Mineral Leasing Act is 
vested with the Bureau of Land Management.
    Utah's proposed revision at Utah Admin. R. 645-201-110 and 645-201-
120 to provide that only coal exploration operations on lands which are 
not subject to 43 CFR parts 3480-3487 will be regulated by the Division 
is thus an appropriate limitation on the Division's regulatory 
authority and is consistent with the corresponding limitation in the 
Federal regulations.
    In addition, although the specific responsibilities of a State 
regulatory authority in administering the coal exploration program 
within a State are not addressed in the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 
Part 772 for coal exploration, the Federal regulation at 30 CFR 
731.14(c)(1) requires each State to have enacted and promulgated laws 
and regulations which will allow the State to implement, administer, 
and enforce its program, and to regulate coal exploration and surface 
coal mining and reclamation operations in accordance with SMCRA. Utah's 
proposed regulations at Utah Admin. R. 645-200-220 and 645-200-230, 
specifying the regulatory responsibilities of the Division, are thus 
consistent with the requirements of 30 CFR 731.14(c)(1).
    Therefore, based on the foregoing discussion, the Director finds 
that Utah Admin. R. 645-200-220, 645-200-230, and 645-201-100 through 
645-201-130 are not inconsistent with the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 
Part 772. The Director approves these proposed rules.

IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments

    Following are summaries of all substantive written comments on the 
proposed amendment that were received by OSM, and OSM's response to 
them.

1. Public Comments

    OSM invited public comments on the proposed amendment 
(administrative record No. UT-891), but none were received.

2. Federal Agency Comments

    Pursuant to 732.17(h)(11)(i), OSM solicited comments on the 
proposed amendment from various Federal agencies with an actual or 
potential interest in the Utah program.
    In separate telephone conversations on February 11, June 1, and 
July 29, 1994, the Bureau of Mines stated it had no comments on the 
proposed amendment (administrative record Nos. UT-893, UT-933, and UT-
965).
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service responded by letter dated March 
7, 1994, that it found nothing of significant concern to the agency and 
again, by letters dated June 8 and August 9, 1994, that it had reviewed 
the proposed changes and had no comment on them (administrative record 
Nos. UT-901, UT-937, and UT-960).
    By letters dated March 23 and August 29, 1994, the Mine Safety and 
Health Administration (MSHA) stated that it had reviewed the amendment 
and that there appeared to be no conflict with the requirements of 30 
CFR (administrative record No. UT-904).
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responded by letters dated June 6 
and August 10, 1994, that it found the changes to be satisfactory 
(administrative record Nos. UT-934 and UT-962).

3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Concurrence and Comments

    Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(ii), OSM is required to solicit 
the written concurrence of EPA with respect to those provisions of the 
proposed program amendment that relate to air or water quality 
standards promulgated 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 revisions that Utah proposed to make in its amendment 
pertained to air or water quality standards. Therefore, OSM did not 
request EPA's concurrence with the proposed amendment. However, 
pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i), OSM solicited comments on the 
proposed amendment from EPA (administrative record No. UT-891). EPA 
responded by letters dated February 15 and June 8, 1994 (administrative 
record Nos. UT-894 and UT-936), that it had no comments on the proposed 
amendment and that it did not believe there would be any impacts to 
water quality standards promulgated under authority of the Clean Water 
Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.).

4. State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and the Advisory Council 
on Historic Preservation (ACHP)

    Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17(h)(4), OSM solicited comments on the 
proposed amendment from the SHPO and ACHP (administrative record No. 
UT-891). By letter dated August 4, 1994, the SHPO indicated, after 
review of Utah Admin. R. 645-202-300, that it concurred with the 
content of the rule and OSM's determination of no effect with respect 
to the consultation requirements of 36 CFR Part 800 (administrative 
record No. UT-959). The ACHP did not respond to OSM's request.

V. Director's Decision

    Based on the above findings, the Director approves Utah's proposed 
amendment as submitted on January 27, 1994, and revised on May 10 and 
July 11, 1994. The Director approves, as discussed in: Finding No. 1, 
Utah Admin. R. 645-201-323.100, concerning the narrative description of 
the proposed exploration area, and Utah Admin. R. 645-201-342.200, 
concerning approval or disapproval of an application for a major coal 
exploration permit; finding No. 2, Utah Admin. R. 645-200-121, 
concerning coal exploration which is subject to 43 CFR Parts 3480 
through 3487, Utah Admin. R. 645-201-200 through 220, concerning, 
notices of intention to conduct minor coal exploration, Utah Admin. R. 
645-202-100, concerning required documents, Utah Admin. R. 645-202-232, 
concerning performance standards for roads or other transportation 
facilities used for coal exploration, and Utah Admin. R. 645-202-235, 
concerning performance standards which minimize disturbance of the 
hydrologic balance; finding No. 3, Utah Admin. R. 645-200-122, 645-200-
123, 645-201-223, and 645-201-310, concerning coal exploration in 
relation to an approved permit area; and finding No. 4, Utah Admin. R. 
645-200-220, 645-200-230, and 645-201-100 through 645-201-130, 
concerning the Division's responsibilities and coal exploration plan 
review.
    The Federal regulations at 30 CFR Part 944, codifying decisions 
concerning the Utah program, are being amended to implement this 
decision. This final rule is being made effective immediately to 
expedite the State program amendment process and to encourage States to 
bring their programs into conformity with the Federal standards without 
undue delay. Consistency of State and Federal standards is required by 
SMCRA.

VI. Procedural Determinations

1. Executive Order 12866

    This rule is exempted from review by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12886 (Regulatory Planning and 
Review).

2. Executive Order 12778

    The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required 
by section 2 of Executive Order 12778 (Civil Justice Reform) 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 since each such 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 12550) 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 State 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.

3. National Environmental Policy Act

    No environmental impact statement is required for this rule since 
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)).

4. 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.).

5. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior has determined 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. Accordingly, this rule will ensure that existing requirements 
previously promulgated by OSM will be implemented by the State. 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.

VII. List of Subjects in 30 CFR 944

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: September 19, 1994.
Russell F. Price,
Acting Assistant Director, Western Support Center.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, Title 30, Chapter VII, 
Subchapter T of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as set forth 
below:

PART 944--UTAH

    1. The authority citation for Part 944 continues to read as 
follows:

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

    2. Section 944.15 is amended by adding paragraph (aa) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 944.15  Approval of amendments to State regulatory program.

* * * * *
    (aa) Revisions to the following Utah Coal Mining Rules, as 
submitted to OSM on January 27, 1994, and as revised on May 10 and July 
11, 1994, are approved effective September 27, 1994:

645-200-121, 122, and 123, Coal Exploration Categories.
645-200-220, and 230, Division Responsibilities.
645-201-100 through 130, Responsibilities for Coal Exploration Plan 
Review.
645-201-200 through 220 and 223, Notices of Intention to Conduct 
Minor Coal Exploration.
645-201-310, Major Coal Exploration Permits.
645-201-323.100, Narrative Description of the Proposed Exploration 
Area.
645-201-342.200, Approval or Disapproval of an Application for a 
Major Coal Exploration Permit.
645-202-100, Required Documents.
645-202-232, Performance Standards for Roads or Other Transportation 
Facilities Used for Coal Exploration.
645-202-235, Performance Standards which Minimize Disturbance of the 
Hydrologic Balance.

[FR Doc. 94-23823 Filed 9-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M