[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59731-59732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29110]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Request for Determination of Valid Existing Rights Within the 
Monongahela National Forest

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

ACTION: Notice of request for determination of valid existing rights, 
reopening and extension of the comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) 
is in the process of determining whether Mr. Walter D. Helmick has 
valid existing rights (VER) to surface mine coal on Federal lands 
within the Monongahela National Forest in Pocahontas County, West 
Virginia. By this notice, OSM is reopening and extending the comment 
period during which interested persons may submit relevant factual 
material on the matter.

DATES: OSM will accept written materials on this request for a VER 
determination until 5 p.m. local time on November 12, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Hand deliver or mail written materials to: Peter R. Michael, 
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Appalachian 
Regional Coordinating Center, room 218, Three Parkway Center, 
Pittsburgh, PA 15200.

[[Page 59732]]

    Documents contained in the Administrative Record are available for 
public review at the locations listed below during normal business 
hours, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
    Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Appalachian 
Regional Coordinating Center, Room 218, Three Parkway Center, 
Pittsburgh, PA 15200, Telephone: (412) 937-2867.
    Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Charleston 
Field Office, 1027 Virginia Street E, Charleston, WV 25301, Telephone: 
(304) 347-7158.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter R. Michael, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 
Appalachian Regional Coordinating Center, Room 218, Three Parkway 
Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15200, Telephone: (412) 937-2867.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 16, 1997 (62 FR 53798) OSM 
published a notice soliciting factual material for consideration in 
determining whether Mr. Walter D. Helmick has VER to surface mine coal 
on Federal lands within the Monongahela National Forest in Pocahontas 
County, West Virginia. If OSM determines that Mr. Helmick has VER, he 
may apply to the West Virginia Department of Energy for a permit 
authorizing the surface and auger mining of coal on the land in 
question. If it is determined that Mr. Helmick does not have VER, no 
surface of auger mining will be permitted.
    The original comment period closed on October 31, 1997. During the 
comment period. OSM received a request for a 7 day extension. By this 
notice, OSM is extending the comment period during which interested 
persons may submit relevant factual material on the matter. The Federal 
Register notice published on October 16, 1997, contains additional 
background information.

    Dated: October 29, 1997.
Michael K. Robinson,
Acting Regional Director, Appalachian Regional Coordinating Center.
[FR Doc. 97-29110 Filed 11-03-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M