[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 176 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48661-48664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24380]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 904

[SPATS No. AR-032-FOR]


Arkansas Regulatory Program

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; public comment period and opportunity for public 
hearing and withdrawal of proposed amendment.

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SUMMARY: OSM is announcing the withdrawal of a previously proposed 
amendment and the receipt of a new amendment to the Arkansas regulatory 
program (Arkansas program) under the Surface Mining Control and 
Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Arkansas is replacing its previously 
proposed amendment with a new amendment. Both amendments pertain to 
revegetation success standards. We announced receipt of Arkansas' 
previously proposed amendment in the January 9, 1998, Federal Register 
(63 FR 1396). In the new amendment, Arkansas proposes to revise its 
regulations and to add policy guidelines for determining Phase III 
revegetation success for areas being restored to various land uses. 
Arkansas intends to revise its program to be consistent with the 
corresponding Federal regulations.
    This document gives the times and locations that the Arkansas 
program and new amendment to that program are available for public 
inspection, the comment period during which interested persons may 
submit written comments on the proposed amendment, and the procedures 
that will be followed

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regarding the public hearing, if one is requested.

DATES: We will accept written comments until 4:00 p.m., c.d.t. on 
October 13, 1998. Upon request, we will hold a public hearing on the 
proposed amendment on October 6, 1998. We will accept requests to speak 
at the hearing until 4:00 p.m., c.d.t. on September 28, 1998.

ADDRESSES: You should mail or hand deliver written comments and 
requests to speak at the hearing to Michael C. Wolfrom, Director, Tulsa 
Field Office, at the address listed below.
    You may review copies of the Arkansas program, the proposed 
amendment, a listing of any scheduled public hearings, and all written 
comments received in response to this document at the addresses listed 
below during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding 
holidays. You may receive one free copy of the proposed amendment by 
contacting OSM's Tulsa Field Office.
    Michael C. Wolfrom, Director, Tulsa Field Office, Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 5100 East Skelly Drive, Suite 470, 
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135-6547, Telephone: (918) 581-6430.
    Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology, Surface 
Mining and Reclamation Division, 8001 National Drive, Little Rock, 
Arkansas 72219-8913, Telephone (501) 682-0744.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael C. Wolfrom, Director, Tulsa 
Field Office. Telephone: (918) 581-6430. Internet: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background on the Arkansas Program

    On November 21, 1980, the Secretary of the Interior conditionally 
approved the Arkansas program. You can find background information on 
the Arkansas program, including the Secretary's findings, the 
disposition of comments, and the conditions of approval in the November 
21, 1980, Federal Register (45 FR 77003). You can find information on 
the removal of the conditions in the January 22, 1982, Federal Register 
(47 FR 3108). You can find later actions concerning the Arkansas 
program at 30 CFR 904.12, 904.15, and 904.16.

II. Withdrawal of Proposed Amendment

    By way of a letter dated November 24, 1997 (Administrative Record 
No. AR-560), Arkansas sent us a proposed amendment to its program in 
accordance with SMCRA. Arkansas proposed to amend the Arkansas Surface 
Coal Mining and Reclamation Code (ASCMRC) to include revegetation 
success standards at section 816.116.
    We announced receipt of the proposed amendment in the January 9, 
1998, Federal Register (63 FR 1396) and invited public comment on its 
adequacy. The public comment period ended February 9, 1998. On February 
11, 1998, we notified Arkansas of deficiencies in its amendment. By way 
of a letter dated August 27, 1998 (Administrative Record No. AR-562), 
Arkansas sent us a new amendment. The new amendment replaces Arkansas' 
amendment dated November 24, 1997. Therefore, we are withdrawing the 
proposed amendment announced in the January 9, 1998 Federal Register.

III. Description of the Proposed Amendment

    By way of a letter dated August 27, 1998 (Administrative Record No. 
AR-562), Arkansas sent us a new amendment to its program in accordance 
with SMCRA. The proposed amendment responds to our November 26, 1985, 
and October 14, 1997, letters (Administrative Record Nos. AR-332 and 
AR-559.02, respectively) that we sent to Arkansas in accordance with 30 
CFR 732.17(c). The amendment also includes changes made at Arkansas' 
own initiative. Arkansas proposes to amend the Arkansas Surface Coal 
Mining and Reclamation Code and to add revegetation success standard 
guidelines to its program. The full text of the proposed program 
amendment that Arkansas submitted is available for public inspection at 
the locations listed above under ADDRESSES. Below is a brief discussion 
of the proposed amendment.

1. ASCMRC Section 701.5  Definition of Land Use

    Arkansas is removing and reserving paragraph (c). Paragraph (c) 
defined the land use category of ``grazingland.''

2. ASCMRC Section 701.5  Definition of Renewal Resource Lands

    Arkansas is revising the definition of ``Renewal Resource Lands'' 
by correcting a typographical error and removing a reference to the 
land use category of ``grazingland.''

3. ASCMRC Section 816.116(b)(1)  Revegetation Success Standards for 
Areas Developed for Use as Pasture Land

    Arkansas proposes to amend section 816.116(b)(1) by removing the 
reference to the land use category of ``grazingland.'' Arkansas also 
proposes to replace the general phrase ``such other success standards 
approved by the Department'' with language that requires ground cover 
and production of living plants on the revegetated area to comply with 
the criteria contained in its Phase III Revegetation Success Standards 
for Pasture and Previously Mined Areas.

4. ASCMRC Section 816.116(b)(2)  Revegetation Success Standards for 
Areas Developed for Use as Cropland

    Arkansas proposes to amend section 816.116(b)(2) by replacing the 
general phrase ``such other success standards approved by the 
Department'' with language that requires crop production on the 
revegetated area to comply with the criteria contained in its Phase III 
Revegetation Success Standards for Cropland.

5. ASCMRC Section 816.116(b)(3)(iv) Revegetation Success Standards for 
Areas To Be Developed for Fish and Wildlife Habitat, Recreation, 
Shelter Belts, or Forest Products

    Arkansas is adding a new paragraph (b)(3)(iv) that requires 
vegetation success for these areas to comply with the criteria 
contained in its Phase III Revegetation Success Standards for Forest 
Products or its Phase III Revegetation Success Standards for Recreation 
and Wildlife Habitat.

6. ASCMRC Section 816.116(b)(4)  Revegetation Success Standards for 
Areas To Be Developed for Industrial, Commercial, or Residential Use

    Arkansas proposes to amend section 816.116(b)(4) to require that 
vegetative ground cover comply with the criteria contained in its Phase 
III Revegetation Success Standards for Industrial, Commercial, and 
Residential Revegetation.

7. ASCMRC Section 816.116(b)(5)  Revegetation Success for Areas 
Previously Disturbed by Mining

    Arkansas proposes to revise subsection 816.116(b)(5) to require 
that vegetative ground cover comply with the criteria contained in its 
Phase III Revegetation Success Standards for Pasture and Previously 
Mined Areas.

8. Phase III Revegetation Success Standards for Pasture and Previously 
Mined Areas

    Arkansas is adding policy guidelines for pasture land use areas and 
previously mined areas. This policy describes the criteria and 
procedures for determining Phase III ground cover and production 
success for areas being restored to pasture and for areas that

[[Page 48663]]

were previously mined. It provides general revegetation requirements 
and success standards and measurement frequency for ground cover and 
forage production. It also includes sampling procedures and techniques, 
data submission and analysis criteria, and mitigation plan 
requirements.

9. Phase III Revegetation Success Standards for Cropland

    Arkansas is adding policy guidelines for cropland. This policy 
describes the criteria and procedures for determining Phase III 
production success standards for areas being restored to cropland. It 
provides success standards and measurement frequency for ground cover 
and crop production. It also includes sampling procedures and 
techniques, data submission and analysis criteria, and mitigation plan 
requirements.

10. Phase III Revegetation Success Standards for Forest Products

    Arkansas is adding policy guidelines for forest land use areas. 
This policy describes the criteria and procedures for determining Phase 
III ground cover and tree and shrub stocking success for areas being 
restored to forest. It provides general revegetation requirements and 
success standards and measurement frequency for ground cover and tree 
and shrub stocking rates. It also includes sampling procedures and 
techniques, data submission and analysis criteria, and mitigation plan 
requirements.

11. Phase III Revegetation Success Standards for Recreation and 
Wildlife Habitat

    Arkansas is adding policy guidelines for recreation and wildlife 
habitat land use areas. This policy describes the criteria and 
procedures for determining Phase III success for areas being restored 
to recreation and wildlife habitat. It provides success standards and 
measurement frequency for ground cover and tree and shrub stocking. It 
also includes sampling procedures and techniques, data analysis 
criteria, and mitigation plan requirements.

12. Phase III Success Standards for Industrial/Commercial and 
Residential Revegetation

    Arkansas is adding policy guidelines for industrial/commercial or 
residential land use areas. This policy describes the criteria and 
procedures for determining Phase III ground cover success for areas 
being restored to an industrial/commercial or residential land use. It 
provides general revegetation requirements and success standards and 
measurement frequency for ground cover. It also includes sampling 
procedures and techniques, data submission and analysis criteria, and 
mitigation plan requirements.

IV. Public Comment Procedures

    According to the provisions of 30 CFR 732.17(h), we are seeking 
comments on whether the proposed amendment satisfies the applicable 
program approval criteria of 30 CFR 732.15. If the amendment is 
approved, it will become part of the Arkansas program.

Written Comments

    Your written comments should be specific and should pertain only to 
the issues proposed in this rulemaking. You should explain the reason 
for any recommended change. We may not consider in the final rulemaking 
or include in the Administrative Record any comments we receive after 
the close of the comment period (see DATES) or at locations other than 
the Tulsa Field Office.

Public Hearing

    If you wish to speak at the public hearing, contact the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by 4:00 p.m., c.d.t. on 
September 28, 1998. We will arrange the location and time of the 
hearing with those persons requesting the hearing. If you are disabled 
and need special accommodations to attend a public hearing, contact the 
individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The hearing 
will not be held if no one requests an opportunity to speak at the 
public hearing.
    You should file a written statement at the time you request the 
hearing. This will allow us to prepare adequate responses and 
appropriate questions. The public hearing will continue on the 
specified date until all persons scheduled to speak have been heard. If 
you are in the audience and have not been scheduled to speak and wish 
to do so, you will be allowed to speak after those who have been 
scheduled. We will end the hearing after all persons scheduled to speak 
and persons present in the audience who wish to speak have been heard.

Public Meeting

    If only one person requests an opportunity to speak at a hearing, a 
public meeting, rather than a public hearing, may be held. If you wish 
to meet with us to discuss the proposed amendment, request a meeting by 
contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All 
such meetings are open to the public and, if possible, we will post 
notices of meetings at the locations listed under ADDRESSES. We also 
make a written summary of each meeting a part of the Administrative 
Record.

V. Procedural Determinations

Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 
12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) exempts this rule from review.

Executive Order 12988

    The Department of the Interior conducted the reviews required by 
section 3 of Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) and 
determined that, to the extent allowed by law, this rule meets the 
applicable standards of subsections (a) and (b) of that section. 
However, these standards are not applicable to the actual language of 
State regulatory programs and program amendments since each such 
program is drafted and promulgated by a specific State, not by OSM. 
Under sections 503 and 505 of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1253 and 1255) and 30 
CFR 730.11, 732.15, and 732.17(h)(10), decisions on proposed State 
regulatory programs and program amendments submitted by the States must 
be based solely on a determination of whether the submittal is 
consistent with SMCRA and its implementing Federal regulations and 
whether the other requirements of 30 CFR Parts 730, 731, and 732 have 
been met.

National Environmental Policy Act

    This rule does not require an environmental impact statement since 
section 702(d) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1292(d)) provides that agency 
decisions on proposed State regulatory program provisions do not 
constitute major Federal actions within the meaning of section 
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 
4332(2)(C)).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain information collection requirements that 
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 
3507 et seq.).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior determined that this rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). 
The State submittal which is the subject of this rule is based upon 
counterpart Federal regulations for which an economic analysis was 
prepared and certification made that such regulations would not have a

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significant economic effect upon a substantial number of small 
entities. Accordingly, this rule will ensure that existing requirements 
previously promulgated by OSM will be implemented by the State. In 
making the determination as to whether this rule would have a 
significant economic impact, the Department relied upon the data and 
assumptions for the counterpart Federal regulations.

Unfunded Mandates

    OSM determined and certifies under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq.) that this rule will not impose a cost of $100 
million or more in any given year on local, state, or tribal 
governments or private entities.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 904

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: September 3, 1998.
Charles E. Sandberg,
Acting Regional Director, Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center.
[FR Doc. 98-24380 Filed 9-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P