[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 29368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14163]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Draft Environmental Impact Statement, OSM-EIS-29

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

ACTION: Extension of Comment Period of Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: On January 31, 1997, (62 FR 4759), the Environmental 
Protection Agency made available for public comment an Office of 
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) revised Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) analyzing the potential impacts 
to the permanent program regulations implementing and interpreting 
section 522(e) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 
1977 (SMCRA). As a result of requests received, OSM is extending the 
comment period for the DEIS.

DATES: Electronic or written comments: OSM will accept electronic or 
written comments on the DEIS 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 4759), OSM made 
available for public comment a DEIS analyzing the impact of two 
proposed rules and the alternatives under consideration, dealing with 
the interpretation and implementation of section 522(e) of SMCRA. Both 
proposed rules were published on January 31, 1997 (62 FR 4836-72). 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.
    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 proposed rules and draft economic analysis 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. 97-14163 Filed 5-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M