[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8898-8899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4300]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Parts 701, 773, 774, 778, 843 and 847

RIN 1029-AC08


Ownership and Control Settlement Rule

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 
(OSM), are extending the comment period on the proposed Ownership and 
Control Settlement Rule published on December 29, 2003. The comment 
period is being extended in response to a request for an extension from 
members of the public.

DATES: We will accept written comments on the proposed rule until 5 
p.m., Eastern Time on March 29, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand-deliver comments to the Office of 
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Administrative Record, Room 
101, 1951 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may also 
submit comments electronically to OSM at the following Internet 
address: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Earl D. Bandy, Jr., Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Appalachian Regional Coordinating 
Center, Applicant/Violator System Office, 2679 Regency Road, Lexington, 
Kentucky 40503. Telephone: (606) 260-8424 or (800) 643-9748. E-Mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 29, 2003 (68 FR 75036), we 
published a proposed rule for public comment. The proposed rule, 
referred to as the Ownership and Control Settlement Rule, would revise 
certain provisions adopted in our December 19, 2000, Ownership and 
Control final rule in order to effectuate a settlement agreement we 
entered into with the National Mining Association. Specifically, the 
proposed rule would revise the provisions in the 2000 final rule 
pertaining to the definitions of ownership and control; permit 
eligibility determinations eligibility for provisionally issued 
permits; improvidently issued permits; challenges to ownership or 
control listings or findings; post-permit issuance requirements for 
regulatory

[[Page 8899]]

authorities and other actions based on ownership, control, and 
violation information; providing applicant, operator, and ownership and 
control information; improvidently issued State permits; and 
alternative enforcement. Additional information is contained in the 
proposed rule published on December 29, 2003.
    The comment period on the proposed rule was scheduled to close on 
February 27, 2004. In response to a request from members of the public, 
we are extending the public comment period to March 29, 2004.

    Dated: February 19, 2004.
Jeffrey D. Jarrett,
Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 04-4300 Filed 2-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M