[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 84 (Friday, May 1, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 24192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11611]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Draft Petition Evaluation Document/Environmental Impact 
Statement; Tennessee

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft petition evaluation 
document/environmental impact statement (PED/EIS) for Fall Creek Falls 
State Park, Tennessee.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) of the United States 
Department of the Interior is making available for public comment, the 
draft PED/EIS for a petition to designate certain lands in the 
watershed and viewshed of Fall Creek Falls State Park and Natural Area, 
Van Buren and Bledsoe Counties, Tennessee, as unsuitable for all 
surface coal mining operations.

DATES: Written comments: OSM will accept written comments on the draft 
PED/EIS until July 30, 1998.
    Public Hearing: A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m., C.D.T. on 
Thursday, June 18, 1998, at the address given below.

ADDRESSES:  Copies of the PED/EIS: Single copies of the draft PED/EIS 
may be obtained by contacting Beverly Brock at the address and 
telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. A copy 
of the PED/EIS is available for inspection at that address, and also at 
the Bledsoe and Van Buren County Clerk's offices.
    Written Comments: Written comments may be hand delivered or mailed 
to Beverly Brock, Supervisor, Technical Group, Office of Surface 
Mining, 530 Gay Street, S.W., Suite 500, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902.
    Public Hearing: A public hearing will be held at the Cumberland 
County High School Gymnasium, Crossville, Tennessee, at the date and 
time listed under DATES.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Beverly Brock, Supervisor, Technical Group, Office of Surface Mining, 
530 Gay Street, S.W., Suite 500, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Telephone: 
(423) 545-4103, ext. 146. E-Mail/Internet: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OSM has been petitioned by Save Our 
Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, and 
forty-nine citizens to designate the watershed and viewshed of Fall 
Creek Falls State Park and Natural Area, Tennessee, as unsuitable for 
all types of surface coal mining operations. OSM has prepared a draft 
PED/EIS as required by Section 522(d) of the Surface Mining Control and 
Reclamation Act of 1977 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969. The draft PED/EIS evaluates the potential coal resources of the 
area, the demand for coal resources, and the impacts of alternative 
unsuitability decisions on the human environment, the economy, and the 
supply of coal.
    A public hearing has been scheduled as indicated above. Anyone who 
wishes to speak will be given the opportunity to do so, but initial 
comments will be limited to 10 minutes. Time limits may be extended at 
the discretion of the presiding official. Persons wishing to present 
testimony are encouraged to contact OSM at the address given above. OSM 
would appreciate receiving a written copy of the speaker's comments 
four days prior to the public hearing, if possible. The hearing will be 
transcribed. Filing a written statement at the time of oral 
presentation is encouraged as this will facilitate the job of the court 
reporter. A transcript of the hearing will be available at a nominal 
fee approximately ten working days after the hearing.

    Dated: April 24, 1998.
Michael K. Robinson,
Acting Regional Director, Appalachian Regional Coordinating Center.
[FR Doc. 98-11611 Filed 4-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M