[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30505]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 925

 

Missouri Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Plan

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; public comment period and opportunity for public 
hearing on proposed amendment.

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SUMMARY: OSM is announcing the receipt of a proposed amendment to the 
Missouri Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) State Reclamation Plan 
(hereinafter, the ``Missouri Plan'') under the Surface Mining Control 
and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). The proposed amendment consists of 
changes to Missouri statute, regulations, and reclamation plan 
provisions of the AML program pertaining to powers of the commission, 
AML reclamation fund, AML reclamation general requirements, 
identification and establishment of reclamation priority of sites, 
elimination of selected priority sites, project evaluation and ranking, 
and purchasing and procurement. The amendment is intended to revise the 
State AML Plan to be consistent with the corresponding Federal 
standards, clarify ambiguities, and improve operational efficiency.

    This notice sets forth the times and locations that the Missouri 
AML Plan and proposed amendment to that Plan are available for public 
inspection, the comment period during which interested persons may 
submit written comments on the proposed amendment, and procedures that 
will be followed regarding the public hearing, if one is requested.

DATES: Written comments must be received by 4:00 p.m., c.s.t. January 
12, 1995. If requested, a public hearing on the proposed amendment will 
be held on January 9, 1995. Requests to present oral testimony at the 
hearing must be received by 4:00 p.m., c.s.t. on December 28, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or hand delivered to 
Michael C. Wolfrom at the address listed below.
    Copies of the Missouri AML Plan, the proposed amendment, and all 
written comments received in response to this notice will be available 
for public review at the addresses listed below during normal business 
hours, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Each requester may 
receive one free copy of the proposed amendment by contacting OSM's 
Kansas City Field Office.

Michael C. Wolfrom, Acting Director, Kansas City Field Office, Office 
of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 934 Wyandotte, Room 500, 
Kansas City, MO 64105, Telephone: (816) 374-6405.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Land Reclamation Program, 205 
Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102, Telephone: 
(314) 751-4041.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael C. Wolfrom, telephone: (816) 
374-6405.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Title IV of SMCRA established an Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation 
(AMLR) program for the purposes of reclaiming and restoring lands and 
water resources adversely affected by past mining. This program is 
funded by a reclamation fee imposed upon the production of coal. As 
enacted in 1977, lands and waters eligible for reclamation were those 
that were mined or affected by mining and abandoned or left in an 
inadequate reclamation status prior to August 3, 1977, and for which 
there was no continuing reclamation responsibility under State or 
Federal law. The AML Reclamation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508, Title 
VI, Subtitle A, Nov. 5, 1990, effective Oct. 1, 1991) amended SMCRA, 30 
U.S.C. 1231 et seq. to provide changes in the eligibility of project 
sites for AML expenditures. The Secretary adopted AML regulations (59 
FR 28136, May 31, 1994) at 30 CFR Subchapter R, Parts 795, 870, 872, 
873, 874, 875, 876, and 886 to implement this act. Title IV of SMCRA 
now provides for reclamation of certain mine sites where the mining 
occurred after August 3, 1977. These include interim program sites 
where bond forfeiture proceeds were insufficient for adequate 
reclamation and sites affected any time between August 4, 1977, and 
November 5, 1990, for which there were insufficient funds for adequate 
reclamation due to the insolvency of the bond surety. Title IV provides 
that a State with an approved AMLR program has the responsibility and 
primary authority to implement the program.
    The Secretary of the Interior approved the Missouri AMLR Plan on 
January 29, 1982. Information pertinent to the general background of 
the Missouri AMLR Plan submission, as well as the Secretary's findings 
and the disposition of comments can be found in the January 29, 1982, 
Federal Register (47 FR 4253). Subsequent actions concerning Missouri's 
AMLR Plan and Plan amendments can be found at 30 CFR 925.25.
    The Secretary adopted regulations at 30 CFR Part 884 that specify 
the content requirements of a State reclamation plan and the criteria 
for plan approval. The regulations provide that a State may submit to 
the Director proposed amendments or revisions to the approved 
reclamation plan. If the amendments or revisions change the scope of 
major policies followed by the State in the conduct of its reclamation 
program, the Director must follow the procedures set out in 30 CFR 
884.14 in approving and disapproving an amendment or revision.

II. Proposed Amendment

    By letter dated November 29, 1994, (Administrative Record No. AML-
MO-89) Missouri submitted a proposed amendment to its AML Plan pursuant 
to SMCRA. Missouri submitted the proposed amendment in response to a 
letter from OSM dated September 26, 1994 (Administrative Record No. 
AML-MO-88), in accordance with 30 CFR 884.15(b) concerning revisions to 
the AML regulations at 30 CFR Chapter VII, Subchapter R (59 FR 28136, 
May 31, 1994).
    Missouri proposes to amend its statutes at RSMo Section 444.810, 
Powers of Commission-abandoned mine reclamation fund created, purpose 
as well as RSMo Section 444.915, Abandoned mine reclamation fund-
deposits and expenditures. Missouri proposes to amend its regulations 
at 10 CSR 40-9.020 (1) and (3), Reclamation-General Requirements. 
Missouri proposes to amend its AML Plan at Section 884.13(c)(2), 
project ranking and selection procedures and Section 884.13(d)(3), 
purchasing and procurement.

(1) 10 CSR 40-9.020(1) (D) and (E) and (3) General Requirements

    The addition of subsections (D) and (E) make additional lands 
eligible for reclamation activities where the coal mining site was 
left: (1) either unreclaimed or inadequately reclaimed between August 
4, 1977, and November 21, 1980, where funds or other financial 
guarantees are not sufficient to provide or adequate reclamation or 
abatement at the site; (2) either unreclaimed or inadequately reclaimed 
between August 4, 1977, and November 5, 1990, and the surety of such 
mining operator became insolvent during such period, and as of November 
5, 1990, remaining funds or other financial guarantees are not 
sufficient to provide for adequate reclamation or abatement at the 
site; (3) the site meets priority objectives stated in subsections (4) 
(A) and (B) of this rule. Priority will be given to those sites which 
are in the immediate vicinity of a residential area or which have an 
adverse economic impact upon a community; and (4) monies available from 
sources outside the fund or which are ultimately recovered from 
responsible parties involving lands eligible pursuant to (1)(D) of this 
rule, shall either be used to offset the cost of the reclamation or 
transferred to the fund if not required for further reclamation 
activities at the permitted site. The definition of left and abandoned 
in either an unreclaimed or inadequately reclaimed condition is revised 
to be consistent with these changes.

(2) Section 884.13(c)(2) Project Ranking and Selection Procedures

    The AMLR Plan is revised to require the submittal of the Abandoned 
Mine Land Problem Area Description Form (OSM 76). This form will be 
utilized in identifying problem area priorities and submitted to OSM 
upon project completion to report actual reclamation accomplishments.
    The AMLR Plan is revised to ensure that certain interim sites and 
insolvent surety sites mined after August 3, 1977, may be eligible for 
AML funding. Additional ineligible sites would include sites and areas 
designated for remedial action pursuant to the Uranium Mill Tailings 
Radiation Control Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.) or that have 
been listed for remedial action pursuant to the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (42 
U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

(3) Section 884.13(d)(3), Purchasing and Procurement

    Missouri is adding provisions that restrict the eligibility of 
bidders and their subcontractors on AML contracts: (1) to any bidder or 
equipment supplier whose firm or affiliate is not listed in the General 
Services Administration publication entitled Lists of Parties Excluded 
from Federal Procurement or Nonprocurement Programs; and (2) must be 
eligible to receive a permit or conditional permit to conduct surface 
coal mining operations as confirmed by OSM's Applicant/Violator System.
    Missouri also adds a provision that AML State Share funds may be 
requested annually for the Future Reclamation Set-Aside Program. The 
funds would only be utilized to accomplish the purposes of P.L. 95-87 
and only withdrawn after September 30, 1995. A separate accounting 
system would be utilized for these funds.

(4) RSMo 444.810.2-8. Joint Committee on Administrative Rules

    Missouri requires that any rules promulgated under the authority of 
the Land Reclamation Commission shall not become effective until it has 
been approved by the joint committee on administrative rules. Missouri 
adds these subsections to provide the procedures necessary for this 
review and approval process.

(5) RSMo 444.915.2(4), AML Reclamation Fund Expenditures

    Missouri eliminates as a priority, expenditures for research and 
demonstration projects relating to the development of surface mining 
reclamation and water quality control program methods and techniques.

(6) RSMo 444.915.3, AML Reclamation Fund Eligibility

    Missouri revises this subsection to require that AML fund monies 
may be used if there is no continuing reclamation responsibility under 
State or Federal laws for lands or water. Eligibility is defined in one 
of three ways: (1) as lands and water affected by coal mining, 
wastebanks, coal processing or other coal mining processes and 
abandoned or left in an inadequate reclamation status prior to 
September 28, 1979; (2) A finding must be made that the mining 
operation occurred between August 4, 1977, and November 21, 1980, and 
that available funds are insufficient for adequate reclamation or 
abatement; or (3) A finding may also be made that the mining operation 
occurred between August 4, 1977, and October 1, 1991, and that the 
surety became insolvent during that period and that available funds are 
not sufficient for adequate reclamation or abatement.

III. Public Comment Procedures

    In accordance with the provisions of 30 CFR 884.14, OSM is seeking 
comments on whether the proposed amendment satisfies the applicable 
program approval criteria of 30 CFR 884.14 for the approval of 
reclamation plan amendments. If the amendment is deemed adequate, it 
will become part of the Missouri AMLR Plan.

Written Comments

    Written comments should be specific, pertain only to the issue 
proposed in this rulemaking, and include explanations in support of the 
commenter's recommendations. Comments received after the time indicated 
under ``DATES'' or at locations other than the Kansas City Field Office 
will not necessarily be considered in the final rulemaking or included 
in the administrative record.

Public Hearing

    Persons wishing to testify at the public hearing should contact the 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by 4:00 p.m., 
c.s.t. December 28, 1994. The location and time of the hearing will be 
arranged with those persons requesting the hearing. If no one requests 
an opportunity to testify at the public hearing, the hearing will not 
be held.
    Any disabled individual who has a need for a special accommodation 
to attend a public hearing should contact the individual listed under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Filing of a written statement at the time of the hearing is 
requested as it will greatly assist the transcriber. Submission of 
written statements in advance of the hearing will allow OSM officials 
to prepare adequate responses and appropriate questions.
    The public hearing will continue on the specified date until all 
persons scheduled to comment have been heard. Persons in the audience 
who have not been scheduled to testify, and who wish to do so, will be 
heard following those who have been scheduled. The hearing will end 
after all persons scheduled to testify and persons present in the 
audience who wish to testify have been heard.

Public Meeting

    If only one person requests an opportunity to testify at a hearing, 
a public meeting, rather than a public hearing, may be held. Persons 
wishing to meet with OSM representatives to discuss the proposed 
amendment may request a meeting at the OSM office listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All such meetings will be open to the 
public and, if possible, notices of meetings will be posted at the 
locations listed under ADDRESSES. A written summary of each meeting 
will be made a part of the administrative record.

IV. Procedural Determinations

Compliance With the National Environmental Policy Act

    No environmental impact statement is required for this rule since 
agency decisions on proposed State and Tribal abandoned mine land 
reclamation plans and revisions thereof are categorically excluded from 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332) 
by the Manual of the Department of the Interior (516 DM 6, appendix 8, 
paragraph 8.4B(29)).

Compliance With Executive Order No. 12291

    On July 12, 1984, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) granted 
OSM an exemption from sections 3, 4, 7, and 8 of Executive Order 12291 
for actions related to approval or conditional approval of State 
regulatory programs, actions, and program amendments. Therefore, 
preparation of a Regulatory Impact Analysis is not necessary and OMB 
regulatory review is not required.

Compliance With the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior has determined that this rule will 
not have a significant economic effect 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. Hence, 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.

Compliance With Executive Order 12778

    The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required 
by section 2 of Executive Order 12778 and has determined that, to the 
extent allowed by law, 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 1255) and 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 requirements of 30 CFR Parts 730, 
731, and 732 have been met.

Compliance With the Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain information collection requirements that 
require approval by the Office of Management and Budget under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3507 et seq.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 916

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: December 5, 1994.
Charles E. Sandberg,
Acting Assistant Director, Western Support Center.
[FR Doc. 94-30505 Filed 12-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M