[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 72 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18585-18586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9411]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Parts 700, 740, 746 and 750

RIN 1029-AB83


Indian and Federal Lands

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; public hearing and extension of public comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) 
has received several requests to hold a public hearing and a request 
for an extension of the public comment period. By this document, OSM is 
announcing the scheduling of a public hearing and the extension of the 
comment period for the proposed rule published on February 19, 1999 (64 
FR 8464), clarifying the definition of ``Indian lands'' and making 
conforming amendments to the Federal lands program and Indian lands 
program. The comment period was originally scheduled to close on April 
20, 1999, and is now being extended for 60 days. Interested persons are 
invited to participate in the proceeding and to submit relevant factual 
information on the matter.

DATES: OSM will hold the public hearing on June 8, 1999, at 10:00 am. 
OSM will accept written comment on the proposed rule until 5 p.m., 
Eastern time, on June 21, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The public hearing will be held at the Crowne Plaza Pyramid 
Hotel, 5151 San Francisco Road, NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109.
    You may mail or hand-deliver comments to the Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Administrative Record, Room 101, 
210-SIB, 1951 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. You may 
also submit comments to OSM via the Internet at: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suzanne Hudak, Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Avenue, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20240; Telephone: (202) 208-2661. E-Mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In response to requests from members of the 
public, we are extending the public comment period for the proposed 
rule published on February 19, 1999 (64 FR 8464). The comment period 
was originally scheduled to close on April 20, 1999, and is now being 
extended for

[[Page 18586]]

60 days. In the rule, we are proposing to amend our regulations by 
clarifying the definition of ``Indian lands'' at 30 CFR 700.5 for 
purposes of implementing the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 
of 1977. The proposed clarification is required pursuant to a 
settlement agreement between the Department of the Interior and the 
Navajo Nation and Hopi Indian Tribe to settle the tribes' challenges to 
a 1989 rulemaking governing coal leases and surface coal mining and 
reclamation operations on Indian lands. OSM is also proposing various 
changes to the Federal lands program at 30 CFR parts 740 and 746, and 
the Indian lands program at 30 CFR part 750, in conjunction with the 
proposed clarification to the definition of Indian lands.

    Dated: April 8, 1999.
Mary Josie Blanchard,
Assistant Director, Program Support.
[FR Doc. 99-9411 Filed 4-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M