[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 222 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 62997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30174]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

20 CFR Parts 718, 722, 725, 726 and 727

RIN 1215-AA99


Regulations Implementing the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety 
Act of 1996, as Amended; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Employemnt Standards Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document extends the period for filing comments regarding 
the proposed rule to amend and revise the regulations implementing the 
Black Lung Benefits Act. This action is taken to permit additional 
comment from interested persons.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the proposed rule to James L. 
DeMarce, Director, Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Room C-
3520, Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, 
DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James L. DeMarce, (202) 219-6692.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of the October 8, 
1999, (64 FR 54965-55072), the Department of Labor published a proposed 
rule intended to amend and revise the regulations implementing the 
Black Lung Benefits Act, subchapter IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health 
and Safety Act of 1969, as amended. Interested persons were requested 
to submit comments on or before December 7, 1999.

    The Department has received requests for an extension of the 
comment period. In order to afford interested parties an appropriate 
period in which to submit comments, the Department believes that it is 
desirable to extend the comment period for 30 days. Therefore, the 
comment period for the proposed rule, amending and revising 20 CFR 
parts 718, 722, 725, 726 and 727, is extended for all interested 
parties through January 6, 2000. On November 5, 1999, the Department 
completed its mailing of the proposal to coal mine operators. This 
extension will allow each potentially affected coal mine operator an 
appropriate period to consider and respond to the proposed rule.
    The Department has also received requests that it hold additional 
hearings on the black lung regulations. In 1997, following the first 
proposed revision of the regulations, in addition to extending the 
comment period for 150 days, the Department held hearings in 
Washington, DC, and Charleston, WV. The Department does not believe 
that additional hearings are necessary.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 15th day of November, 1999.
Bernard E. Anderson,
Assistant Secretary for Employment Standards.
[FR Doc. 99-30174 Filed 11-17-99; 8:45 am]
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