[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 29314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14162]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Parts 740, 745, 761, and 772

RIN 1029-AB42 and 1029-AB82


Valid Existing Rights and Prohibitions of Section 522(e); 
Extension of Public Comment Period

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

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On January 31, 1997, (62 FR 4836-72), the Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) of the U.S. Department of the 
Interior published proposed rules which would implement and interpret 
section 522(e) of Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 
(SMCRA). On that date, OSM also made available for public comment a 
draft economic analysis (DEA) analyzing the potential impacts of the 
proposed rules. As a result of requests received, OSM is extending the 
comment period for the proposed rules and the DEA.

DATES: Electronic or written comments: OSM will accept electronic or 
written comments on the proposed rules and DEA until 5:00 p.m. Eastern 
time on August 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Electronic or written comments: Submit electronic comments 
to [email protected]. Mail written comments to the Administrative 
Record, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20240 or hand-deliver to Room 
117 at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy DeVito, Office of Surface Mining 
Reclamation and Enforcement, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1951 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240; Telephone (202) 208-
2701; E-Mail:[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 31, 1997 (62 FR 4836-72) OSM 
published two proposed rules dealing with the interpretation and 
implementation of section 522(e) of SMCRA. The first rule, RIN 1029-
AB42, would amend OSM's regulations to redefine the circumstances under 
which a person has valid existing rights to conduct surface coal mining 
operations in areas where such operations are otherwise prohibited by 
section 522(e) of SMCRA. The second rule, RIN 1029-AB82, is a proposed 
interpretative rulemaking to address the question of whether subsidence 
due to underground mining is a surface coal mining operation and thus 
prohibited in areas enumerated in section 522(e) of SMCRA. On January 
31, 1997 (62 FR 4759), OSM also made available for public comment a 
DEIS analyzing the impact of the two proposed rules and the 
alternatives under consideration.
    The comment period was scheduled to close on June 2, 1997. In order 
to accommodate several requests for an extension of the public comment 
period, OSM is extending the comment period until 5 p.m. Eastern time 
on August 1, 1997.
    Under separate Federal Register Notice, the public comment period 
for the DEIS is also being extended until 5 p.m. Eastern time on August 
1, 1997.

    Dated: May 27, 1997.
Mary Josie Blanchard,
Assistant Director, Program Support.
[FR Doc. 97-14162 Filed 5-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M