[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54840-54843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26357]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 915

[SPATS No. IA-005-FOR]


Iowa Regulatory Program

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening and extension of public comment period 
on proposed amendment.

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SUMMARY: OSM is announcing receipt of revisions to a previously 
proposed amendment to the Iowa regulatory program (Iowa program) under 
the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Iowa 
proposes revisions to its revegetation success guidelines concerning 
the definition for ``prime farmland,'' plant species for recreational 
and wildlife areas, reference areas, normal husbandry practices, 
minimum planting arrangements for recreational, wildlife, and forested 
lands, and control area adjustments of prime farmland.
    Iowa intends to revise its program to be consistent with the 
corresponding Federal regulations and to improve operational 
efficiency.

DATES: We will accept written comments until 4:00 p.m., c.d.t., October 
25, 1999.

ADDRESSES: You should mail or hand deliver written comments to John W.

[[Page 54841]]

Coleman, Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center, at the address 
listed below.
    You may review copies of the Iowa program, the amendment, 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 amendment by 
contacting OSM's Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center.

John W. Coleman, Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center, Office of 
Surface Mining, Alton Federal Building, 501 Belle Street, Alton, 
Illinois, 62002, Telephone: (618) 463-6460.
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Division of Soil 
Conservation, Henry A. Wallace Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319, 
Telephone: (515) 281-6147.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John W. Coleman, Mid-Continent 
Regional Coordinating Center. Telephone: (618) 463-6460. Internet: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background on the Iowa Program

    On January 21, 1981, the Secretary of Interior conditionally 
approved the Iowa program, effective April 10, 1981. You can find 
background information on the Iowa program, including the Secretary's 
findings, the disposition of comments, and the conditions of approval 
in the January 21, 1981, Federal Register (46 FR 5885). You can find 
later actions on the Iowa program at 30 CFR 915.10, 915.15, and 915.16.

II. Discussion of the Proposed Amendment

    By letter dated September 28, 1998 (Administrative Record No. IA-
441), Iowa sent us an amendment to its program under SMCRA. Iowa sent 
the amendment in response to our letter dated August 1, 1986 
(Administrative Record No. IA-280), that we sent to Iowa under 30 CFR 
732.17(c).
    We announced receipt of the amendment in the October 14, 1998, 
Federal Register (63 FR 55025) and invited public comment on its 
adequacy. The public comment period closed November 13, 1998.
    During our review of the amendment, we identified concerns relating 
to Iowa's revegetation success guidelines concerning the definition for 
``prime farmland,'' plant species for recreational and wildlife areas, 
reference areas, normal husbandry practices, minimum planting 
arrangements for recreational, wildlife, and forested lands, and 
control area adjustments of prime farmland. We notified Iowa of these 
concerns by electronic mail on November 19, 1998 (Administrative Record 
No. IA-441.6). On August 3, 1999, Iowa sent us a revised amendment 
(Administrative Record No. IA-441.7).
    Iowa proposes the following revisions to its revegetation success 
guidelines:

A. Part II.D. Definition of Prime Farmland

    Iowa is revising the first sentence of its definition of Prime 
Farmland to clarify the source of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
definition for prime farmland, which was referenced in the definition. 
The revised sentence reads as follows: `` Prime Farmland is defined by 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 7 CFR Part 657. As defined, prime 
farmland is the land best suited for food, feed, forage, fiber, and oil 
seed crops.'' Iowa also is deleting the last sentence of the first 
paragraph, ``Farming of this land results in the least damage to the 
environment.''

B. Part III.C.5  Recreational and Wildlife

    1. Iowa proposes to revise the second sentence of Part III.C.5.a.i. 
to read as follows: ``In the case of wildlife areas, all plant species 
found that are not included in the seed mixture approved in the permit 
shall be those listed in Appendix 8--Recommended Wildlife & 
Recreational Planting Species for Iowa of this document.''
    2. Iowa also proposes to revise Part III.C.5.b.ii. to read as 
follows: ``Tree and shrub species planted shall be approved in the 
permit and as listed in Appendix 5--Recommended Tree Planting Species 
in Iowa of this document as acceptable species.''

C. Part IV.E. Recreational, Wildlife, and Forested Lands

    1. Iowa is changing the heading for Part IV.E.1. from ``Forested 
Lands'' to ``Tree and Shrub Vegetation'' and is removing the phrase 
``In the case of a forested land use'' from the first sentence of 
IV.E.1.
    2. Iowa also revised the first paragraph of Part IV.E.2 to read as 
follows:

    The tree and/or shrub success standards shall be met only when 
all of the following have been established. (a) All of the previous 
criteria under IV.E. Recreational, Wildlife, and Forested Lands have 
been met. (b) When eighty percent (80%) of the trees and/or shrubs 
used in proving this success standard have been in place for sixty 
percent (60%) of the responsibility period (or three years). (c) The 
Permittee provides documentation that eighty percent (80%) of the 
planted trees and/or shrubs have survived and been in place a 
minimum of three (3) consecutive years. (d) The Permittee provides 
documentation that there are at least four hundred (400) live trees 
and/or shrubs per acre. (e) The Permittee provides documentation 
that each tree and/or shrub counted toward this revegetation success 
standard has been in place at least two (2) years and have at least 
one-third (1/3) of its height in live crown.

    3. Iowa proposes to revise the third sentence of the second 
paragraph of Part IV.E.2. to read as follows: ``In addition there shall 
be a minimum of four hundred (400) live trees or shrubs per acre of 
land under a forested land use, including recreational or wildlife land 
use areas where woody plants are used, for purposes of achieving 
revegetation success.''
    4. Iowa is also revising the fourth sentence of the second 
paragraph of Part IV.E.2 to read as follows: ``At the time of counting 
trees or shrubs to determine if their survival meets the revegetation 
success standard, eighty percent (80%) of the original number of trees 
and/or shrubs planted per acre shall be alive [and] shall have been in 
place for three years.''

D. Part IV.G. Control Area Adjustments of Prime Farmland Revegetation 
Success Standards

    1. Iowa is revising the climatic correction factor (CF) Examples #1 
by changing the CF for Example #1 to1.05, the ``Climatically Adjusted 
Corn Productivity Revegetation Success Standard'' calculation to ``1.05 
 x  161 bu. corn/acre = 169.05,'' and the success standard statement to 
``Corn Productivity Revegetation Success Standard = 169 bu. corn/
acre.''
    2. Iowa is revising the CF for Example #2 to 0.832, the 
``Climatically Adjusted Soybean Productivity Revegetation Success 
Standard'' calculation to ``0.832  x  54.52 bu. soybeans/acre = 45.3 
bu. soybeans/acre,'' and the success standard statement to ``Soybean 
Productivity Revegetation Success Standard = 45.3 bu. soybeans/acre.''

E. Part V.A.2. Grain Sampling Technique for Test Plot Harvesting

    1. Iowa is revising Part V.A.2.h. to require the permittee to 
repeat the steps outlined in Part V.A.2.c. through 2.g. for the fifteen 
(15) test plots or samples for each ten (10) acres of field size. Iowa 
then provides a formula for determining field sample adequacy.
    2. Iowa is deleting the language originally located at Part 
V.A.2.i. and replacing it with instructions on how to interpret the 
results of the formula for

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determining field sample adequacy provided in Part V.A.2.h. Iowa also 
added Field Adequacy Test Examples.
    3. Iowa is adding new Part V.A.2.j. to require a permittee to use 
corrected standard moisture percentage weights of the grain or beans to 
determine sample adequacy for the test plots. Iowa then provides a 
formula for determining standard moisture weight sample adequacy.
    4. Iowa is also adding new Part V.A.2.k. describing how to 
interpret the results of the formula for determining standard moisture 
weight sample adequacy provided in Part V.A.2.j. Iowa also added 
Standard Moisture Weight Sample Adequacy Examples.
    5. Original Parts V.A.2.j., k., and m. are redesignated as new 
Parts V.A.2.l., m., and o., respectively. Iowa then added Sample Unit 
Production Examples under new Part V.A.2.m. and Average Production 
Examples under new Part V.A.2.n.
    6. Iowa is revising new Part V.A.2.o. to read as follows:

    The average crop production value for the field area, for the 
growing season sampled, will have met the appropriate grain or bean 
production success standard only when the all of the following 
criteria have been met. (i) All of the test plot yield data and 
moisture content data for the grain or bean field area has been 
submitted to the Division. (ii) The corn, soybeans, oats or wheat 
production is greater than or equal to the appropriate reference 
area production or calculated production success standard. (iii) The 
statistical sample adequacy has been achieved. (iv) All of the 
sampling and analysis criteria have been met.

F. Part V.A.3. The Use of Whole Field Harvest

    1. Iowa is revising Part V.A.3.d. to read as follows:

    Immediately after the grain or beans are harvested and 
collected, they must be weighted to three significant digits and 
then have moisture contents measured. The grain or bean production 
shall be weighed on a scale licenced for trade. A weight and 
moisture sample for field, or reference area must be taken. Each 
moisture and foreign material sample must not represent more than 
five hundred (500) bushels. Tickets shall be submitted to the 
Division.

    2. Iowa also proposes to add a provision to Part V.A.3.e. to 
require the moisture content of a harvest to be determined using a 
standard agricultural moisture tester, operated by a licensed grain 
elevator.
    3. Iowa is adding new Parts V.A.3.i. and j. New Part V.A.3.i. 
describes how a permittee should calculate a bushel/acre production 
yield. New Part V.A.3.j. describes when the average grain or bean 
production value for the whole field harvest yield will have met the 
appropriate production success standard.

G. Part V.B.1. Productivity Sampling Technique

    1. Iowa is adding new Part V.B.1.b. to require a permittee to 
determine representative sample points for each reclaimed area of 
forage crops which have been grown to prove achievement of a cropland 
or pastureland revegetation success standard. The permittee must use a 
minimum of fifteen random sample points per each ten acres to determine 
productivity for each field.
    2. Existing Parts V.B.1.c. through n. are redesignated as Parts 
V.B.1.d. through o., respectively. Iowa then proposes to add additional 
language to new Part V.B.1.i. to read as follows: ``Areas requiring 
more than thirty (30) sample points for every ten (10) acres in size 
may not be eligible for bond release. This high variability indicates 
that the sample area may not meet the approved standard.'' After 
providing a formula for testing forage field sample adequacy, Iowa 
repeats the above statement, adding that if sample adequacy cannot be 
met after additional sampling, these areas should be abandoned until 
the next growing season. Iowa then provides a Forage Field Sample 
Adequacy Example.
    3. Under new Part V.B.1.l., Iowa is adding an example of the 
Fifteen Percent Moisture Weight Sample Adequacy test. Under new Part 
V.B.1.m., Iowa is adding an example of the Corrected Forage Weight 
test. Under new Part V.B.1.n., Iowa is adding an example of the Total 
Forage Production test.
    4. Iowa is adding a new provision at Part V.B.1.p. to read as 
follows: ``Forage production yields less than the ninety percent (90%) 
of the appropriate pastureland or forage crop revegetation success 
standard shall not be accepted for the purposes of bond release.'' Old 
Part V.B.1.o. is redesignated as new Part V.B.1.q.

H. Part V.B.2. Whole Field Harvest for Forage Production

    1. Iowa is revising the first sentence of the introductory 
paragraph at Part V.B.2. to read as follows: ``The use of whole field 
harvested shall be limited to the reclaimed areas and any reference 
areas, and shall not include any adjacent areas outside these limits.''
    2. Iowa is adding a new Part V.B.2.e. to describe when the moisture 
adjusted yield of a whole field harvest will have met the appropriate 
forage production success standard.

I. Part V.C. Ground Cover

    1. Iowa is revising the introductory language at Part V.C. by 
adding the provision that plant species other than those included in 
the Permit as part of the land use will be counted as ground cover only 
after the permittee obtains written permission from the Division. Under 
no circumstances will the Division allow noxious weeds, rocks, or bare 
ground to be counted as ground cover.
    2. Iowa is revising the third sentence of Part V.C.1.e. to read as 
follows: ``The only acceptable ground cover is dead vegetative litter 
and plant species included in the seed mixture approved in the Permit, 
and other acceptable and approved plant species for the land use being 
sampled. Iowa is also adding new Part V.C.1.e.i. and ii. to describe 
what is acceptable ground cover and non-acceptable ground cover.
    3. Iowa is adding an example of the Ground Cover Transect Adequacy 
test at Part V.C.1.g. and an example of the Average Percent Ground 
Cover test at Part V.C.1.h.
    4. Iowa is revising Part V.C.1.i. to describe when the average 
percent ground cover for the sample area will have met the appropriate 
land use ground cover success standard.

J. Part V.D. Trees and Shrubs

    1. Iowa is adding additional language to Part V.D.1. to require the 
permittee to divide the total tree and/or shrub count by the number of 
acres within a forestland area, and to describe when a permittee will 
have met the tree and/or shrub revegetation success standard.
    2. Iowa is also adding additional language to Part V.D.2.c. to 
describe the criteria for eligible live and healthy trees or shrubs.
    3. Iowa is adding new Parts V.D.2.e. through h. Part V.D.2.e. 
requires the permittee to determine if tree or shrub planting areas 
meet the minimum density of four hundred live and healthy trees or 
shrub per acre, as well as describes the minimum number of trees and/or 
shrubs needed in each acre and sampling circle. Part V.D.2.f. provides 
a formula for determining sampling circle adequacy. Part V.D.2.g. 
describes how the permittee should interpret the results of the 
Sampling Circle Adequacy test, as well as provides an example of the 
Sampling Circle Adequacy test. Finally, Part V.D.2.h. describes when 
the tree and/or shrub revegetation success standard will have been met.

K. Part VI Statistical Analysis of Sampling Data

    Iowa is adding new Part VI.A. to explain the calculation of means,

[[Page 54843]]

variances, and standard deviations. This new section also includes 
examples of each of these statistical applications.

L. Appendices

    Iowa is adding two new appendices: Appendix 8--Recommended Wildlife 
& Recreational Planting Species in Iowa; and Appendix 9--Critical 
Values of t. Both these Appendices are referenced in Iowa's 
Revegetation Success Standards and Statistically Valid Sampling 
Techniques document.

M. Editorial-type Errors

    Finally, Iowa is making minor wording changes and revising various 
cross-references and paragraph notations to reflect organizational 
changes resulting from this amendment.

III. Public Comment Procedures

    We are reopening the comment period on the proposed amendment to 
provide you an opportunity to reconsider the adequacy of the amendment 
in light of the additional materials sent to us. Under the provisions 
of 30 CFR 732.17(h), we are requesting comments on whether the 
amendment satisfies the program approval criteria of 30 CFR 732.15. If 
we approve the amendment, it will become part of the Iowa program.

Written Comments

    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular 
business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold 
their home address from the administrative record, which we will honor 
to the extent allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in 
which we would withhold from the administrative record a respondent's 
identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name 
and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of 
your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will 
make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from 
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of 
organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their 
entirety.
    Your written comments should be specific and pertain only to the 
issues proposed in this rulemaking. You should explain the reason for 
any recommended change. In the final rulemaking, we will not 
necessarily consider or include in the Administrative Record any 
comments received after the time indicated under DATES or at locations 
other than the Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center.
    Please submit Internet comments as an ASCII file avoiding the use 
of special characters and any form of encryption. Please also include 
``Attn: SPATS No. IA-005-FOR'' and your name and return address in your 
Internet message. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have 
received your Internet message, contact the Mid-Continent Regional 
Coordinating Center at (618) 463-6460.

IV. Procedural Determinations

Executive Order 12866

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

Executive Order 12988

    The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required 
by section 3 of Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) and has 
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 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 State regulatory programs and 
program amendments 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 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 has 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 
corresponding Federal regulations for which an economic analysis was 
prepared and certification made that such regulations would not have a 
significant economic effect upon a substantial number of small 
entities. Therefore, this rule will ensure that existing requirements 
previously published 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 corresponding Federal regulations.

Unfunded Mandates

    OSM has 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 915

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: September 30, 1999.
Brent Wahlquist,
Regional Director, Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center.
[FR Doc. 99-26357 Filed 10-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P