[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 175 (Monday, September 11, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53351-53352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14756]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 938

[PA-148-FOR]


Pennsylvania Regulatory Program

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period and notice of 
hearing.

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SUMMARY: We are reopening the public comment period on the proposed 
Pennsylvania Regulatory Program rule published on July 31, 2006. The 
comment period is being reopened in order to afford the public more 
time to comment and allow enough time to hold a public hearing which 
has been requested by several individuals. We are also notifying the 
public of the date, time and location for the public hearing.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before 4 
p.m., local time on September 28, 2006. The public hearing will be held 
on Thursday, September 21, 2006, at 7 p.m. local time.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written or electronic comments identified by 
PA-148, by any of the following methods:
     E-Mail: [email protected]. Include docket number PA-148-
FOR in the subject line of the message.
     Mail/Hand-Delivery/Courier: George Rieger, Director, 
Pittsburgh Field Division, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and 
Enforcement, 415 Market Street, Room 304, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 
17101
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional 
information on the rulemaking process, see ``III. Public Comment 
Procedures'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of the proposed 
rule published on July 31, 2006.
    Public hearing: The public hearing will be held at The Days Inn, 
located at 3620 Route 31, Donegal, Pennsylvania 15628, telephone: 724-
593-7536, on September 21, 2006, at 7 p.m. local time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Rieger, Director, Pittsburgh 
Field Division, Telephone: (717) 782-4036, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 31, 2006 (71 FR 43087), we published 
a proposed rule that would revise the Pennsylvania Regulatory Program. 
The revisions would address blasting for the development of shafts for 
underground mines and make administrative changes to regulations 
relating to blasting in 25 Pa. Code Chapters 87, 88, 89 and 210. 
Specifically, the proposed changes would: (1) Clarify that the use of 
explosives in connection with the construction of a mine opening for an 
underground coal mine is a surface mining activity subject to the 
applicable requirements in Chapters 87 or 88 and that the person 
conducting the blasting activity must possess a blaster's license; (2) 
change the scheduling requirements applicable to the use of explosives 
for constructing openings for underground coal mines and changes to the 
requirements for protective measures to be taken when surface coal mine 
blasting is in proximity to a public highway or an entrance to a mine; 
and (3) add a category for mine opening blasting to the classifications 
of blaster's licenses.
    We have received several requests for a public hearing on the 
proposed rule. We are extending the public comment period in order to 
afford the public more time to comment and allow enough time to 
schedule and hold the hearing. The date, time, and location for the 
public hearing may be found under DATES and ADDRESSES above.
    The hearings will be open to anyone who would like to attend and/or 
testify. The primary purpose of the public hearing is to obtain your 
comments on the proposed rule so that we can prepare a complete and 
objective analysis of the proposal. The purpose of the hearing officer 
is to conduct the hearing and receive the comments submitted. Comments 
submitted during the hearing will be responded to in the preamble to 
the final rule, not at the hearing. We appreciate all comments but 
those most useful and likely to influence decisions on the final rule 
will be those that either involve personal experience or include 
citations to and analysis of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation 
Act of 1977, its legislative history, its implementing regulations, 
case law, other State or Federal laws and regulations, data, technical 
literature, or relevant publications.
    At the hearing, a court reporter will record and make a written 
record of the statements presented. This written record will be made 
part of the administrative record for the rule. If you have a written 
copy of your testimony, we encourage you to give us a copy. It will 
assist the court reporter in preparing the written record. Any disabled 
individual who needs

[[Page 53352]]

reasonable accommodation to attend the hearing is encouraged to contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 938

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: August 23, 2006.
Michael K. Robinson,
Acting Regional Director, Appalachian Region.
 [FR Doc. E6-14756 Filed 9-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P