[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 49680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16802]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


Announcement to Extend Comment Period on the Preparation of an 
Environmental Impact Statement on Excess Spoil Generation and Disposal 
and Stream Buffer Zone Rulemaking

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

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 
(OSM), are allowing additional time for the public to submit 
suggestions on significant issues and specific alternatives that we 
should consider in the planning and preparation on an environmental 
impact statement on the excess spoil generation and disposal and stream 
buffer zone rulemaking. We received multiple requests to extend the 
comment period by a week beyond the last public scoping meeting in 
order for the meeting participants to fully consider discussions within 
the meeting. We believe that this is reasonable request and are 
granting an extension of public comment period.

DATES: Electronic or written comments: We must receive your written 
comments by 4 p.m. eastern standard time on September 1, 2005, to 
ensure consideration in the preparation of the draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand carry comments to: ``EIS Scoping SBZ 
Rulemaking Comments'' c/o OSM Appalachian Region, 3 Parkway Center, 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15220, or you may send comments via electronic 
mail to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David G. Hartos, Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, U.S. Department of the Interior, 3 
Parkway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15220; Telephone: 412-937-2909. E-mail 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 16, 2005 (70 FR 35112), we published 
a notice of our intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) to analyze the effects of possibly revising our regulations 
pertaining to excess spoil generation and disposal, and stream buffer 
zones. We determined that the preparation of an EIS would be an 
appropriate mechanism to fully access alternative approaches and 
potential impacts of the changes proposed in the Federal Register on 
January 7, 2004 (69 FR 1036). We asked for the public's assistance in 
identifying significant issues and specific alternatives related to the 
proposed action. The original comment period was scheduled to close on 
August 15, 2005, but we are extending the comment period to the time 
and date list under DATES.

    Dated: August 16, 2005.
Michael K. Robinson,
Acting Regional Director, Appalachian Region, Office of Surface Mining 
Reclamation and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 05-16802 Filed 8-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M