[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 27000] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-12324] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment Standards Administration 20 CFR Parts 718, 722, 725, 726 and 727 [RIN 1215-AA99] Regulations implementing the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as Amended; Extension of Comment Period; Additions to the Record AGENCY: Employment Standards Administration, Labor. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period; additions to the record. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document extends the period for filing comments regarding the proposed rule to amend and revise the regulations implementing the Black Lung Benefits Act. This action is taken to permit additional comment from interested persons. In addition, this document informs all interested persons that the Department is adding three medical articles to the official rulemaking record and invites comments on those articles. DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 21, 1997. ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the proposed rule to James L. DeMarce, Director, Division of Coal Mine Worker's Compensation, Room C- 3520, Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20210. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James L. DeMarce, (202) 219-6692. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of January 22, 1997 (62 FR 3338-3435), the Department of Labor published a proposed rule intended to amend and revise the regulations implementing the Black Lung Benefit Act, subchapter IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended. Interested persons were requested to submit comments on or before March 24, 1997. In the Federal Register of February 24, 1997 (62 FR 8201), the Department extended the comment period through May 23, 1997. The trade association representing coal mine operators has requested that the Department once again extend the comment period. The trade association seeks additional time to analyze existing medical evidence and submit its analysis to peer review. The Department deems it desirable to extend the comment period for all interested persons. Therefore, the comment period for the proposed rule, amending and revising 20 CFR Parts 718, 722, 725, 726 and 727, is extended through August 21, 1997. In addition, following publication of the proposed rule, the Department learned of three medical articles relevant to its proposed revision of the definition of the term ``pneumoconiosis'' at 20 CFR 718.201. See 62 FR 3343-44 (discussion), 3376 (definition). Those articles are: Becklake, M., ``Occupational Exposures: Evidence for a Causal Association with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,'' American Review of Respiratory Disease, 140: S85-S91, 1989; ``Coal Dust and Compensation,'' The Lancet, Vol. 335, No. 8685, pp. 322-324 (Feb. 10, 1990); and Wright, J. et al., ``State of the Art: Diseases of the Small Airways,'' American Review of Respiratory Diseases, 146: 240-262, 1992. The Department gives notice of its inclusion of these articles in the official rule-making record, and invites comments on them. Copies of the articles may be reviewed at the Department of Labor. Signed at Washington, D.C. this 5th day of May, 1997. Bernard E. Anderson, Assistant Secretary for Employment Standards. [FR Doc. 97-12324 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-27-M