[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9724-9725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3377]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Petitions for Modification

    The following parties have filed petitions to modify the 
application of existing safety standards under section 101(c) of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Aracoma Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-170-C]

    Aracoma Coal Company, P.O. Box 470, Stollings, West Virginia 25646 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil 
and gas wells) to its Alma Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 46-08801) located in 
Logan County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to plug and mine 
through gas wells using specific procedures outlined in this petition 
for modification. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
existing standard.

2. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC

[Docket No. M-2000-171-C]

    Canyon Fuel Company, P.O. Box 1029, Wellington, Utah 84542 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Dugout Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 
46-01890) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the existing standard to permit the belt haulage entry 
to be used at the return entry during two-entry longwall panel 
development and as an intake entry to provide additional face 
ventilation during longwall panel retreat mining. The petitioner 
proposes to install a low-level carbon monoxide monitoring system in 
all sections where the belt entry is used as either an intake or return 
air course and in the primary intake entries. The petitioner asserts 
that application of the existing standard would result in a diminution 
of safety to the miner and that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

3. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC

[Docket No. M-2000-172-C]

    Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, P.O. Box 1029, Wellington, Utah 84542 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.352 (return air 
courses) to its Dugout Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 46-01890) located in 
Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner requests a modification of the 
existing standard to permit the belt haulage entry to be used at the 
return entry during two-entry longwall panel development and as an 
intake entry to provide additional face ventilation during longwall 
panel retreat mining. The petitioner proposes to install a low-level 
carbon monoxide monitoring system in all sections where the belt entry 
is used as either an intake or return air course and in the primary 
intake entries. The petitioner asserts that application of the existing 
standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miner and that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the existing standard.

4. ASARCO Incorporated

[Docket No. M-2000-010-M]

    ASARCO Incorporated, P.O. Box 460, Strawberry Plains, Tennessee 
37871 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11055 
(inclined escapeways) which requires

[[Page 9725]]

that vertical shafts over 300 feet be equipped with an emergency 
hoisting facility. The petition applies to the Coy Mine (I.D. No. 40-
00166) located in Jefferson County, Tennessee. The petitioner requests 
a modification of the existing standard for the purpose of complying 
with Program Policy Letter P00-IV-5 and 30 CFR 57.11050(a), which 
requires that all mines must have two continuously functional 
escapeways at all times. The petitioner proposes to use a vertical 
ladderway as an emergency escapeway, and as a secondary means of escape 
within the primary escapeway in the event of an extended power failure 
or repair to a damaged hoist, to avoid hazards that are created by 
repeated unnecessary mine evacuations. The petitioner asserts that 
application of PPL P00-IV-5 and 30 CFR 57.11050(a) would result in a 
diminution of safety to the miners and that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
existing standard.

5. New Tech Oil Company

[Docket No. M-2001-001-M]

    New Tech Oil Company, P.O. Box 68, Kaycee, Wyoming 82639 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11050(a) (escapeways 
and refuges) to its North Tisdale Shaft No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 48-01147) 
located in Johnson County, Wyoming. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the existing standard to permit its man cage hoist and 
ladder man-way to be used as two separate escapeways. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the existing standard.

6. New Tech Oil Company

[Docket No. M-2001-002-M]

    New Tech Oil Company, P.O. Box 68, Kaycee, Wyoming 82639 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.19054 (rope guides) 
to its North Tisdale Shaft No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 48-01147) located in 
Johnson County, Wyoming. The petitioner proposes to use bridge strand 
wire rope in shafts as rope guides. The petitioner states that: (i) the 
locked coil rope is no longer produced in the United States; (ii) the 
three remaining manufacturers will not produce small quantities of the 
locked coil rope that is required for the Tech Oil Company's North 
Tisdale Shaft No. 1 Mine; and (iii) the bridge strand wire rope would 
be 1-\1/4\ inches, 1 x 36 construction, structural strands. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.

Request for Comments

    Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit 
comments via e-mail to ``[email protected],'' or on a computer disk 
along with an original hard copy to the Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 4015 
Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments 
must be postmarked or received in that office on or before March 12, 
2001. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated: February 1, 2001.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 01-3377 Filed 2-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P