[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 27, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 70892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30129]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

28 CFR Part 79

[CIV 101N; AG Order 2632-2002]
RIN 1105-AA75


Claims Under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments 
of 2000; Expansion of Coverage to Uranium Millers and Ore Transporters; 
Expansion of Coverage for Uranium Miners; Representation and Fees

AGENCY: Civil Division, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On August 7, 2002, the United States Department of Justice 
published a proposed rule to implement the Radiation Exposure 
Compensation Act Amendment of 2000. The original 60-day comment period 
expired on October 7, 2002. The Department is reopening the comment 
period for an addition 60-day period.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 27, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Gerard W. Fischer, Assistant 
Director, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, P.O. Box 146, Ben 
Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044-0146.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerard W. Fischer (Assistant 
Director), (202) 616-4090, and Dianne S. Spellberg (Senior Counsel), 
(202) 616-4129.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 7, 2002, the Department of Justice 
(Department) published a rule that proposed amendments to the 
regulations governing radiation exposure compensation claims. The 
principal reason for the amendments was implement the provisions of the 
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (Act) Amendments of 2000 that 
expanded coverage under the Act to uranium mill workers and individuals 
employed in the transport of uranium ore or vanadium-uranium ore, and 
that expanded the population of eligible uranium mine workers by 
lowering the radiation exposure threshold for miners, by enlarging the 
number of uranium mining states with respect to which miners may be 
eligible for compensation, and by including ``above ground'' miners 
within the scope of the regulations. See 67 FR 51440.
    The Navajo RECA Reform Working Group, a coalition of six 
organizations within the Navajo Nation, has requested an additional 60-
day period in which to provide comment on the proposed rule. This 
additional period of time would allow the coalition to translate the 
proposed rule into the Navajo language, thereby allowing the Navajo 
elders to participate in the regulation review process. Granting this 
request ensures that this community, as well as other entities and 
individuals, have ample opportunity to fully review and comment on the 
proposed rule.
    Accordingly, the Department is reopening the comment period and 
will accept public comments for an additional 60 days after publication 
of this notice.

    Dated: November 22, 2002.
John Ashcroft,
Attorney General.
[FR Doc. 02-30129 Filed 11-26-02; 8:45 am]
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