[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46550-46552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22524]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
30 CFR Part 944

[SPATS No. UT-034]


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 announcing approval of a proposed amendment to the Utah 
regulatory program (hereinafter, the ``Utah program'') under the 
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). The 
proposed amendment consists of revisions to rules pertaining to 
petitions to initiate rulemaking, and backfilling and grading and 
highwall retention. The amendment revises the Utah program to be 
consistent with the corresponding Federal regulations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 4, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James F. Fulton, Telephone: (303) 672-5524.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background on the Utah Program

    On January 21, 1981, the Secretary of the Interior conditionally 
approved the Utah program. 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, Federal 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 November 30, 1995, and March 11, 1996, Utah 
submitted to OSM rules that it had promulgated for its program 
(administrative record Nos. UT-1079 and UT-1081) pursuant to SMCRA (30 
U.S.C. 1201 et seq.). With three exceptions, these rules were 
substantively identical to rules that

[[Page 46551]]

Utah had previously submitted to OSM and for which the Director made a 
decision in the May 30, 1995, Federal Register (60 FR 28040, 
administrative record No. UT-1057). The three exceptions occurred in 
rules that Utah revised in response to required amendments and in 
response a disapproval that OSM set forth in the May 30, 1995, notice. 
In response to the required program amendments at 30 CFR 944.16 (c) and 
(d) (May 30, 1995, 60 FR 28040, 28043-4, finding Nos. 4 and 5), Utah 
proposed to revise Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.110 and Utah Admin. R. 
534-301-553.120. In response to the Director not approving proposed 
Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.651 (May 30, 1995, 60 FR 28040, 28046-7, 
finding No. 15), Utah did not promulgate the rule. The rule concerned a 
proposed applicability date for the backfilling and grading of 
highwalls.
    In addition to the aforementioned revisions, Utah by letter dated 
December 4, 1995, submitted to OSM a proposed revision to Utah Admin. 
R. 645-100-500, pertaining to petitions to initiate rulemaking 
(administrative record No. UT-1080). Utah submitted the proposed 
revision in response to a November 22, 1995, OSM letter (administrative 
record No. UT-1078) notifying Utah of a needed revision to Utah's rule.
    These revisions constitute a proposed amendment to Utah's program. 
OSM announced receipt of the proposed amendment in the March 20, 1996, 
Federal Register (61 FR 11350), provided an opportunity for a public 
hearing or meeting on its substantive adequacy, and invited public 
comment on its adequacy (administrative record No. UT-1085). Because no 
one requested a public hearing or meeting, none was held. The public 
comment period ended on April 19, 1996.

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 November 30 and December 4, 1995, and March 11, 
1996, is no less effective than the corresponding Federal regulations 
and no less stringent than SMCRA. Accordingly, the Director approves 
the proposed amendment.

1. Utah Admin. R. 645-100-500, Petitions To Initiate Rulemaking

    Utah proposed to revise Utah Admin. R. 645-100-500 to provide that 
persons other than the Division or Board of Oil, Gas and Mining may 
petition to initiate rulemaking pursuant to Utah Admin. R. Part 641 and 
the Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act at Utah Code Annotated (U.C.A.) 
``63-46a-1, et seq.'' instead of ``63-46-8.''
    Utah deleted the reference to the statute at U.C.A. 63-46-8 because 
it previously repealed it. Newly referenced ``U.C.A. 63-46a-1 et seq.'' 
includes the statutory provisions at U.C.A. 63-46a-12, which allow 
interested persons to petition agencies requesting the making, 
amendment, or repeal of rules.
    The Federal counterpart regulation to proposed Utah Admin. R. 645-
100-500 is at 30 CFR 700.12. The Federal counterpart statutory 
provision to U.C.A. 63-46a-12 is at section 201(g)(1) of SMCRA. They 
both provide for persons to petition OSM requesting the issuance, 
amendment, or repeal of a rule.
    The proposed revision to Utah Admin. R. 645-100-500 is no less 
effective than the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 700.12 and no less 
stringent than section 201(g)(1) of SMCRA. Therefore, the Director 
approves the proposed revision to Utah Admin. R. 645-100-500.

2. Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.110 and .120, Backfilling and Grading and 
Highwall Retention

    Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.110.--On May 30, 1995, OSM at 30 CFR 
944.16(c) (finding No. 4, 60 FR 28040, 28043) required Utah to revise 
Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.110 to correct the cross referenced 
provisions in the phrase ``R645-301-500 through R645-301-540,'' 
regarding previously mined areas, continuously mined areas, and areas 
subject to the approximate original contour provisions, to read ``R645-
301-553.500 through R645-301-553.540'' (emphasis added).
    In response to the required amendment, Utah proposed to make the 
changes in the citations. For the reasons discussed in the May 30, 
1995, Federal Register notice, the Director finds that the proposed 
revisions to Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.110 are consistent with the 
Federal regulations at 30 CFR 816.102(k) and 817.102(k). Accordingly, 
the Director approves the proposed revisions to Utah Admin. R. 645-301-
553.110 and removes the required amendment at 30 CFR 944.16(c).
    Utah Admin. R. 534-301-553.120.--On May 30, 1995, OSM at 30 CFR 
944.16(d) (finding No. 5, 60 FR 28040, 28043) required Utah to revise 
Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.120 to correct the cross-referenced 
provisions in the phrase ``R645-301-553.500 through R645-301-540,'' 
regarding previously mined areas, continuously mined areas, and areas 
subject to the approximate original contour provisions, to read ``R645-
031-553.500 through R645-301-553.540'' (emphasis added). In response to 
the required amendment, Utah made the revision in the citation.
    OSM also at 30 CFR 944.16(d) required Utah to revise Utah Admin. R. 
645-301-553.120 to correct the cross-referenced provisions in the 
phrase ``R645-301-553.650 through R645-301-553.653'' to read ``R645-
301-553.650 through R645-301-553.651'' (emphasis added), or otherwise 
make a revision that had the same effect. As discussed in following 
finding No. 4, Utah did not promulgate Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.651. 
Therefore, at Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.120, Utah proposed to only 
reference Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.650.
    For the reasons discussed in the May 30, 1995, Federal Register 
notice, the Director finds that the proposed revisions to Utah Admin. 
R. 645-301-553.120 are consistent with the Federal regulations at 30 
CFR 816.102(a)(2) and 817.102(a)(2). Accordingly, the Director approves 
the proposed revisions to Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.120 and removes 
the required amendment at 30 CFR 944.16(d).

3. Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.651, Applicability Date

    On May 30, 1995, the Director did not approve Utah's proposed rule 
at Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.651 (finding No. 15, 60 FR 28040, 28046) 
because it was less stringent than section 515 of SMCRA, not in 
accordance with the Secretary's assumptions in approving the provisions 
of the Utah program that allow for the incomplete elimination of 
highwalls for areas with remaining highwalls subject to the approximate 
original contour provisions, and not in accordance with the Director's 
previous finding in the September 17, 1993, final rule Federal Register 
notice (58 FR 48600, 48605-6; finding No. 3(C)(3)(b)).
    In response to this disapproval, Utah deleted the proposed rule at 
Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.651 (i.e., did not promulgate the rule in 
the State rulemaking process). Utah's deletion of the proposed rule is 
consistent with the Director's disapproval.

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 responses to 
them.

[[Page 46552]]

1. Public Comments

    OSM invited public comments on the proposed amendment, 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 (administrative record No. UT-
1082). None of the Federal agencies responded.

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 
pertain to air or water quality standards. Therefore, OSM did not 
request EPA's concurrence.
    Pursuant to 732.17(h)(11)(i), OSM solicited comments on the 
proposed amendment from EPA (administrative record No. UT-1082). It did 
not respond to OSM's request.

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-1082). Neither SHPO nor ACHP responded to OSM's request.

V. Director's Decision

    Based on the above findings, the Director approves Utah's proposed 
amendment as submitted on November 30 and December 4, 1995, and March 
11, 1996.
    The Director approves, as discussed in: finding No. 1, Utah Admin. 
R. 645-100-500, concerning petitions to initiate rulemaking; and 
finding No. 2, Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.110 and .120, concerning 
backfilling and grading and highwall retention.
    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 12866 (Regulatory Planning and 
Review).

2. Executive Order 12988

    The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required 
by section 3 of Executive Order 12988 (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 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.

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 that 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.

6. Unfunded Mandates

    This rule will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any 
given year on any governmental entity or the private sector.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 944

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: August 21, 1996.
Peter A. Rutledge,
Acting Regional Director, Western Regional Coordinating 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 (hh) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 944.15  Approval of amendments to the State regulatory program.

* * * * *
    (hh) Revisions to Utah Admin. R. 645-100-500, concerning petitions 
to initiate rulemaking, and revisions to Utah Admin. R. 645-301-553.110 
and Utah Admin. R. 534-301-553.120, concerning backfilling and grading 
and highwall retention, as submitted to OSM on November 30 and December 
4, 1995, and March 11, 1996, are approved effective September 4, 1996.


Sec. 944.16  [Amended]

    3. Section 944.16 is amended by removing and reserving paragraphs 
(c) and (d).

[FR Doc. 96-22524 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am]
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