[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 202 (Thursday, October 19, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61680-61685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17521]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 931

[NM-045-FOR]


New Mexico Regulatory Program

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

ACTION: Final rule; approval of amendment.

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SUMMARY: We are approving an amendment to the New Mexico regulatory 
program (the ``New Mexico program'') under the Surface Mining Control 
and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). New Mexico proposed 
revisions to and additions of rules and revisions to statutes 
concerning the administrative appeals process and revisions to statutes 
concerning an extension of time for the authority of the Coal Surface 
Mining Commission (Commission). New Mexico revised its program to be 
consistent with SMCRA and the corresponding Federal regulations, 
streamline and clarify the administrative and judicial appeals process 
and ensure continuing authority for the New Mexico program.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 19, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Willis Gainer, Telephone: (505) 248-
5096, E-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background on the New Mexico Program
II. Submission of the Proposed Amendment
III. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement's (OSM) 
Findings
IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments
V. OSM's Decision
VI. Procedural Determinations

 I. Background on the New Mexico Program

    Section 503(a) of the Act permits a State to assume primacy for the 
regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations on non-
Federal and non-Indian lands within its borders by demonstrating that 
its State program includes, among other things, ``a State law which 
provides for the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation 
operations in accordance with the requirements of this Act * * *; and 
rules and regulations consistent with regulations issued by the 
Secretary pursuant to this Act.'' See 30 U.S.C. 1253(a)(1) and (7). On 
the basis of these criteria, the Secretary conditionally approved the 
New Mexico program on December 31, 1980. You can find background 
information on the New Mexico program, including the Secretary's 
findings, the disposition of comments, and conditions of approval in 
the December 31, 1980, Federal Register (45 FR 86459). You can also 
find later actions concerning New Mexico's program and program 
amendments at 30 CFR 931.10, 931.11, 931.13, 931.15, 931.16, and 
931.30.

II. Submission of the Proposed Amendment

    By letter dated November 18, 2005, New Mexico sent us an amendment 
to its program (Administrative Record No. 874) under SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 
1201 et seq.). New Mexico sent the amendment to include the changes 
made at its own

[[Page 61681]]

initiative to (1) Streamline and clarify the administrative and 
judicial appeals process and (2) extend the time for the authority of 
the Commission to operate.
    We announced receipt of the proposed amendment in the February 13, 
2006, Federal Register (71 FR 7477; Administrative Record No. NM-882). 
In the same document, we opened the public comment period and provided 
an opportunity for a public hearing or meeting on the amendment's 
adequacy. We did not hold a public hearing or meeting because no one 
requested one. The public comment period ended on March 15, 2006. We 
received one agency comment from the State Historic Preservation 
Officer and one public comment from the Zuni Tribe.
    During our review of the amendment, we identified one non-
substantive editorial concern with an incorrect statutory citation 
referenced in a proposed rule. We notified New Mexico of this concern 
by letter dated March 24, 2006 (Administrative Record No. NM-887).
    New Mexico responded in a letter dated March 27, 2006, by sending 
us a revised amendment (Administrative Record No. NM-888). New Mexico 
responded with a revision to correct the statutory cite, from the New 
Mexico Surface Mining Act of 1978 (NMSA), section 69-25A-30.G to NMSA, 
section 69-25A-29.A, referenced at proposed rule New Mexico Annotated 
Code (NMAC), section 19.8.12.1203.K. Because the correction was 
editorial in nature and did not substantively revise New Mexico's 
proposed amendment, we did not reopen the opportunity for public 
comment and we are proceeding with the final rule Federal Register 
document.

III. OSM's Findings

    Following are the findings we made concerning the amendment under 
SMCRA and the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 732.15 and 732.17. We are 
approving the amendment as described below.

A. Minor Revisions to New Mexico's Rules and Statute

    New Mexico proposed minor wording, editorial, punctuation, 
grammatical, and recodification changes to the following previously-
approved statutes in NMSA, and rules in the NMAC.
    NMSA, sections 69-25A-18.A, B, C, D and F concerning the decisions 
of the Director of the New Mexico program and appeals;
    NMSA, sections 69-25A-29.A, B, C, D and F concerning the 
administrative review of a notice or order by the Director of the New 
Mexico program;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1100.A(3), D, and D(2), concerning public 
notices of filing of permit applications;
    NMAC, section 19.8.11.1101.C, concerning opportunity for submission 
of written comments on permit applications;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1102.A and B(2), concerning the right to 
file written objections;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1103.A(3), B, B(1), D, E(1), and F, 
concerning hearings and conferences;
    NMAC, section 19.8.11.1104.B, concerning public availability of 
information in permit applications on file with the Director;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1105.C(2), D, E, and F, concerning review of 
permit applications;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1106.C, D(3), F, G(1) and (2), and N, 
concerning criteria for permit approval or denial;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1107.A, B, B(1), B(1)(b), B(3), C, D, E, and 
F, concerning general procedures for improvidently issued permits;
    NMAC, section 19.8.11.1108.B, concerning existing structures and 
criteria for permit approval or denial;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1109.A(4), B, B(1) and (2), B(2)(b), B(3), 
and D, concerning permit approval or denial actions;
    NMAC, section 19.8.11.1110.A(1), concerning the rescission process 
for improvidently issued permits;
    NMAC, section 19.8.11.1111.B, concerning permit terms;
    NMAC, section 19.8.11.1113.C(2), concerning conditions of permit 
for environment, public health and safety;
    NMAC, section 19.8.11.1114, concerning conformance of permit;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1115.A, B, and C, concerning verification of 
ownership or control application information;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1116.B and B(2)(b), concerning review of 
ownership or control and violation information;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1117.A, A(1), (2) and (3), B, C, D, D(1) and 
(2), and D(2)(a) and (b), concerning procedures for challenging 
ownership or control links shown in the applicant violator system;
    NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1118.B, B(1), (2) and (3), B(3)(1), C, 
C(1)(a) through (c), and C(2), concerning standards for challenging 
ownership or control links and the status of violations; and
    NMAC, sections 19.8.12.1203.A through J and L, concerning formal 
review of notices of violations, cessation orders and show cause 
orders.
    Because these changes are minor, we find that they will not make 
New Mexico's rules and statutes less effective than the corresponding 
Federal regulations or less stringent than SMCRA.

B. Revisions to New Mexico's Statutes and Rules That Require an 
Explanation and Basis for Approval

    The Federal regulations at 30 CFR 732.15(b) require, among other 
things, that a State program include provisions that provide for (1) 
Administrative review of State program actions, in accordance with 
section 525 of SMCRA and 30 CFR Subchapter L, and (2) judicial review 
of State program actions in accordance with State law, as provided in 
section 526(e) of SMCRA, except that judicial review of State 
enforcement actions shall be in accordance with section 526 of SMCRA.
    The Federal definitions at 30 CFR 730.5 set forth the standards for 
review of State program provisions which must be consistent with and in 
accordance with the Act and the counterpart Federal regulations. OSM 
defines consistent with and in accordance with to mean (a) with regard 
to SMCRA, the State laws and regulations are no less stringent than, 
meet the minimum requirements of and include all applicable provisions 
of the Act and (b) with regard to the Federal regulations, the State 
laws and regulations are no less effective than the Federal regulations 
in meeting the requirements of SMCRA.
    As discussed below, New Mexico's proposed revisions of NMSA and the 
State's implementing regulations are in accordance with the 
corresponding sections of SMCRA and consistent with the Federal 
regulations.
1. NMSA, Section 69-25A-29.G, and NMAC, Section 19.8.12.1201, 
Elimination of Appeals for Review by the Commission of Decisions of the 
Director of the New Mexico Program
    At its own initiative, New Mexico proposes to eliminate the 
provisions in NMSA at 69-25A-29.G and in NMAC, section 19.8.12.1201 
that require administrative review by the Commission of decisions by 
the Director of the New Mexico program.
    States must provide for administrative review of State program 
actions, in accordance with section 525 of SMCRA and 30 CFR subchapter 
L. States must also have a permit system which provides for review of 
decisions consistent with 30 CFR subchapter G. Section 525 of SMCRA and 
subchapter G require one level of administrative review. New Mexico is 
retaining its statutory provisions for administrative review of 
enforcement actions by the

[[Page 61682]]

Director of the New Mexico program in NMSA section 69-25A-29 and 
permitting decisions in NMSA section 69-25A-18. New Mexico also is 
retaining regulations at NMAC, section 19.8.12.1203, for administrative 
review of enforcement actions by the Director of the New Mexico 
program. The elimination of administrative review by the Commission 
leaves in place existing provisions for administrative review conducted 
by the Director of the New Mexico program for decisions concerning 
permitting and enforcement actions.
    OSM finds that New Mexico's proposed revisions concerning 
administrative review at NMSA, section 69-25A-29.G, and NMAC, section 
19.8.12.1201, are consistent with the Act and the Federal regulations, 
and the revisions will not make New Mexico's statutes and rules less 
stringent than section 525 of SMCRA or less effective than 30 CFR 
subchapters L and G.
2. NMSA, Section 69-25A-30.A, and NMAC, Sections 19.8.12.1202.A and 
19.8.12.1203.K, Appeals of Decisions by the Director of the New Mexico 
Program to the State District Court
    New Mexico proposes revisions of NMSA, section 69-25A-30.A, 
concerning judicial review, to clarify that appeals to a State District 
Court may be made by a party who is aggrieved by a decision of the 
Director, rather than the Commission, of the New Mexico program. 
Likewise, New Mexico proposes to revise NMAC, sections 10.8.12.1202.A 
and 19.8.12.1203.K, concerning judicial review, to state respectively 
that (1) A party to a proceeding before the Director who is aggrieved 
by a Director's decision issued after a hearing may obtain a review of 
that decision pursuant to NMSA section 39-3-1.1, and (2) the State 
District Court may review decisions concerning formal review of notices 
of violation, cessation orders, and show cause orders issued by the 
Director of the New Mexico program, pursuant to Subsection G of section 
69-25A-30, NMSA, and NMAC 19.8.12.1202.
    Existing NMAC 19.8.12.1202.A through D established procedures for 
judicial review of administrative decisions under the New Mexico 
program. New Mexico proposes to eliminate the procedures in NMAC 
19.8.12.1202.A through D and revise NMAC 19.8.12.1202.A to require that 
appeals to State District Court will be subject to section 39-3-1.1 of 
the NMSA. Section 39-3-1.1 is applicable to all New Mexico State 
agencies for appeal of final agency decisions to the State District 
Court and covers procedures for application and scope of review.
    The Federal regulation at 30 CFR 732.15(b)(15) requires State 
programs to provide for judicial review of State program actions in 
accordance with State laws, as provided in section 526(e) of SMCRA, 
except that judicial review of State enforcement actions shall be in 
accordance with section 526 of SMCRA. Section 526(e) of SMCRA requires 
that actions of the State regulatory authority pursuant to an approved 
State program shall be subject to judicial review by a court of 
competent jurisdiction in accordance with State law. Sections 526(a) 
through (d) of SMCRA establish procedures for such judicial review of 
enforcement actions. Section 526(a) specifies that actions constituting 
rulemaking and orders or decisions in a civil penalty proceeding, 
issued by the Secretary of the Interior, may be subject to judicial 
review; it also provides the location and timeframe for filing of a 
petition for judicial review. Section 526(b) specifies the actions of 
the court hearing such a petition. Section 526(c) specifies the 
circumstances necessary for a court to grant temporary relief in the 
case of a proceeding to review any order or decision for cessation of 
coal mining and reclamation operations. Section 526(d) specifies that 
the commencement of a proceeding for judicial review shall not, unless 
specifically ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the action, 
order, or decision of the Secretary. There are no Federal regulations 
that set forth procedures for judicial review.
    The procedures set forth in NMSA 39-3-1.1 apply to judicial review 
of any final decision by a New Mexico agency, and among other things, 
specify how final agency decisions must be documented and published, 
provide for appeal of a decision by any person aggrieved by the 
decision, specify the actions that may be taken by the district court, 
and provide for review of the State District Court decision by a party 
to the appeal.
    The procedures set forth by New Mexico in NMSA 39-3-1.1 provide for 
similar procedures concerning judicial review set forth in SMCRA at 
sections 526(a) through (d) and demonstrate the ability for a person to 
obtain judicial review of all agency decisions as required by SMCRA at 
section 526(e).
    These proposed revisions are also consistent with New Mexico's 
revisions discussed in finding B.1 above that eliminate administrative 
review by the Commission of decisions, other than those concerning 
promulgation of rules, by the Director. (See finding No. 3 below for 
New Mexico's provisions concerning judicial review of agency rulemaking 
decisions.)
    Therefore, OSM finds that the proposed revisions concerning 
judicial review at NMSA, section 69-25A-30.A, and at NMAC, sections 
10.8.12.1202.A and 19.8.12.1203.K are consistent with the Act and the 
Federal regulations and the revisions will not make New Mexico's 
statutes and rules less stringent than section 526 of SMCRA or less 
effective than 30 CFR subchapters L and G.
3. NMAC, Section 19.8.12.1202.B, Judicial Review of Decisions by the 
Commission Concerning Adoption of a Rule, Amendment of a Rule or Repeal 
of a Rule
    Existing NMAC 19.8.12.1202.E provides that persons aggrieved by a 
rule or amendment or repeal of a rule the Commission adopts may appeal 
to the State Court of Appeals. The existing regulation also includes 
procedures and timeframes for such an appeal as well as the standards 
for review by the court. As described in finding B.2 above, New Mexico 
proposes to eliminate existing NMAC 19.8.12.1202.B, C and D so that New 
Mexico's existing NMAC 19.8.12.1202.E becomes NMAC 19.8.12.1202.B. New 
Mexico proposes to eliminate the existing procedures, timeframe and 
standards in proposed NMAC 19.8.12.1202.B and instead proposes to 
cross-reference the statutory provision at NMSA, Subsection B of 69-
25A-30, which sets forth the same procedures, timeframes and standards 
for judicial review.
    30 CFR 732.15(b)(15) requires that State programs provide for 
judicial review of State program actions in accordance with State law, 
as provided in section 526(e) of the Act. Section 526(e) states that 
actions of the State regulatory authority shall be subject to judicial 
review by a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with State 
law. There are no Federal regulations for section 526(e) of the Act.
    OSM finds that New Mexico's proposed NMAC 19.8.12.1202.B, 
concerning judicial review of rulemaking by the Commission, and the 
reference to NMSA, subsection B of 69-25A-30, are in accordance with 
the requirements of section 526(e) of SMCRA for judicial review.
4. NMSA, Section 69-25A-29.F, Administrative Review of a Notice or 
Order by the Director of the New Mexico Program
    New Mexico proposes to revise NMSA, section 69-25A-29.F, concerning 
administrative review, by deleting references to the Commission.

[[Page 61683]]

With these revisions, New Mexico removed authority from the Commission 
and left authority with the Director of the New Mexico program to 
determine whether expenses (that have been reasonably incurred for or 
in connection with participation in administrative proceedings, 
including any judicial review of agency actions) may be assessed 
against any party.
    Section 525(e) of SMCRA allows for an award of a sum equal to the 
aggregate amount of all costs, expenses, and attorney fees determined 
by the Secretary of the Interior to have been reasonably incurred by a 
person for or in connection with his participation in administrative 
proceedings, including any judicial review of agency actions.
    As discussed in finding No. B.1. above, New Mexico's proposed 
revisions to delete the additional administrative review by the 
Commission of the Director's decisions, is consistent with section 525 
of SMCRA. OSM finds that New Mexico's proposed revisions to NMSA, 
section 69-25A-29.F, deleting references to the Commission, are 
consistent with and no less stringent than section 525(e) of SMCRA.
5. NMSA, Section 69-25A-36, Termination of Agency Life
    New Mexico proposes revisions of NMSA at section 69-25A-36, 
concerning termination of agency life, to extend the authority of the 
Commission to operate according to the provisions of NMSA from July 1, 
2005, until July 1, 2012.
    The Commission, created in NMSA at section 69-25A-1, meets at least 
once a year to adopt, amend and repeal rules. SMCRA, at section 503(a), 
and the Federal regulation at 30 CFR 732.15(a) requires that the State 
program provide for the State to carry out the provisions and meet the 
purposes of SMCRA within the State and that the State's laws and 
regulations are in accordance with the provisions of SMCRA. Because New 
Mexico's proposed revision extends the authority of the Commission to 
operate until July 1, 2012, and therefore enables rulemaking for the 
New Mexico program, OSM approves the proposed revision.

IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments

Public Comments

    We asked for public comments on the amendment (Administrative 
Record No. NM-876). We received one comment letter.
    By letter dated February 2, 2006 (Administrative Record No. NM-
879), we received comments from the Governor of the Zuni Tribe in Zuni, 
New Mexico. Our response to the Governor's comments regarding New 
Mexico's proposed rule revisions at NMAC, section 19.8.12.1202.A, 
concerning judicial review of final agency decisions, is discussed 
below.
    The Governor raised a concern that the proposed revision to NMAC, 
section 19.8.12.1202.A, would limit a person's ability to challenge 
agency decisions.
    New Mexico's proposed revisions at NMAC, sections 19.8.12.1201 and 
19.8.12.1202.A eliminate the need for a second administrative hearing 
before the Commission prior to allowing an appeal to the State District 
Court; this rule revision reflects the same statutory revision of the 
NMSA at section 69-25A-29.G.
    As discussed in finding No. B.2 above, New Mexico's proposed 
elimination of the opportunity for a second administrative hearing is 
consistent with the counterpart Federal regulations at 30 CFR 775.13.
    The Governor also expressed concern that because only certain 
agency decisions can be the subject of an administrative hearing, some 
decisions may not therefore be appealed to the State District Court.
    As discussed in finding B.1 above, New Mexico's proposed revision 
of NMSA, section 69-25A-30.A, and NMAC, sections 19.8.12.1202.A and 
19.8.12.1203.K, provide for appeals of decisions by the Director to the 
State District Court. New Mexico's NMSA, section 69-25A-29, provides 
for administrative review of enforcement actions and NMSA, section 69-
25A-18, provides for administrative review of permitting decisions. New 
Mexico is also retaining regulations at NMAC, section 19.8.12.1203, for 
administrative review of enforcement actions by the Director. The 
elimination of administrative review by the Commission leaves in place 
existing provisions for administrative review conducted by the Director 
for decisions concerning both permitting and enforcement actions and 
appeal of these decisions to the State District Court. Therefore, New 
Mexico's proposed revision is consistent with and in accordance with 
section 526 of SMCRA and 30 CFR subchapters L and G.
    The Governor also correctly noted that the existing New Mexico rule 
at NMAC, section 19.8.12.1200.A, allows an administrative appeal of, 
among other final decisions made by the Director of the New Mexico 
program, a decision concerning a permit modification; this opportunity 
for review has not been revised. OSM notes that New Mexico's allowance 
for an administrative appeal of a decision concerning a permit 
modification at NMAC section 19.8.12.1200.A is not specifically 
required under the counterpart Federal regulation at 30 CFR 775.11(a) 
(see OSM's approval of NMAC, section 19.8.12.1200.A, on April 13, 2004, 
69 FR 19321, at 19322, finding No. C.2.).
    For the reasons discussed above, we are not requiring any revision 
of New Mexico's proposed rules in response to these comments.

Federal Agency Comments

    Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i) and section 503(b) of SMCRA, we 
requested comments on the amendment from various Federal agencies with 
an actual or potential interest in the New Mexico program 
(Administrative Record No. NM-876). We received no comments.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Concurrence and Comments

    Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i) and (ii), we are required to get 
concurrence from EPA for those provisions of the program amendment that 
relate to air or water quality standards issued under the authority of 
the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) or the Clean Air Act (42 
U.S.C. 7401 et seq.).
    None of the revisions that New Mexico proposed to make in this 
amendment pertains to air or water quality standards. Under 30 CFR 
732.17(h)(11)(i), OSM requested comments on the amendment from EPA 
(Administrative Record No. NM-876). EPA did not respond to our request.

State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and the Advisory Council on 
Historic Preservation (ACHP)

    Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(4), we are required to request comments from 
the SHPO and ACHP on amendments that may have an effect on historic 
properties. On December 20, 2006, we requested comments on New Mexico's 
amendment (Administrative Record No. NM-876). The SHPO responded on 
February 9, 2006, that it had no comments because the proposed 
amendments do not affect cultural resources (Administrative Record No. 
NM-881). We did not receive a response from the ACHP.

V. OSM's Decision

    Based on the above findings, we approve New Mexico's November 18, 
2005, proposed amendment, as revised on March 27, 2006.
    We approve New Mexico's proposed statutory revisions as they were 
enacted by New Mexico (effective on June 17,

[[Page 61684]]

2005) and rule revisions as promulgated by New Mexico (effective on 
April 28, 2006).
    To implement this decision, we are amending the Federal regulations 
at 30 CFR part 931, which codify decisions concerning the New Mexico 
program. We find that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to 
make this final rule effective immediately. Section 503(a) of SMCRA 
requires that the State's program demonstrate that the State has the 
capability of carrying out the provisions of the Act and meeting its 
purposes. Making this regulation effective immediately will expedite 
that process. SMCRA requires consistency of State and Federal 
standards.

VI. Procedural Determinations

Executive Order 12630--Takings

    This rule does not have takings implications. This determination is 
based on the analysis performed for the counterpart Federal regulation.

Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule is exempted from review by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and 
Review).

Executive Order 12988--Civil Justice Reform

    The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required 
by section 3 of Executive Order 12988 and has determined that this rule 
meets the applicable standards of subsections (a) and (b) of that 
section. However, these standards are not applicable to the actual 
language of State regulatory programs and program amendments because 
each program is drafted and promulgated by a specific State, not by 
OSM. Under sections 503 and 505 of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1253 and 1255) and 
the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 730.11, 732.15, and 732.17(h)(10), 
decisions on proposed State regulatory programs and program amendments 
submitted by the States must be based solely on a determination of 
whether the submittal is consistent with SMCRA and its implementing 
Federal regulations and whether the other requirements of 30 CFR Parts 
730, 731, and 732 have been met.

Executive Order 13132--Federalism

    This rule does not have Federalism implications. SMCRA delineates 
the roles of the Federal and State governments with regard to the 
regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations. One of 
the purposes of SMCRA is to ``establish a nationwide program to protect 
society and the environment from the adverse effects of surface coal 
mining operations.'' Section 503(a)(1) of SMCRA requires that State 
laws regulating surface coal mining and reclamation operations be ``in 
accordance with'' the requirements of SMCRA, and section 503(a)(7) 
requires that State programs contain rules and regulations ``consistent 
with'' regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to SMCRA.

Executive Order 13175--Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal 
Governments

    In accordance with Executive Order 13175, we have evaluated the 
potential effects of this rule on Federally recognized Indian Tribes 
and have determined that the rule does not have substantial direct 
effects on one or more Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the 
Federal government and Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities between the Federal government and Indian Tribes. 
The rule does not involve or affect Indian Tribes in any way.

Executive Order 13211--Regulations That Significantly Affect the 
Supply, Distribution, or Use of Energy

    On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 which 
requires agencies to prepare a Statement of Energy Effects for a rule 
that is (1) considered significant under Executive Order 12866, and (2) 
likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy. Because this rule is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866 and is not expected to have a significant 
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, a 
Statement of Energy Effects is not required.

National Environmental Policy Act

    This rule does not require an environmental impact statement 
because section 702(d) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1292(d)) provides that 
agency decisions on proposed State regulatory program provisions do not 
constitute major Federal actions within the meaning of section 
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain information collection requirements that 
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that this rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). 
The State submittal, which is the subject of this rule, is based upon 
counterpart Federal regulations for which an economic analysis was 
prepared and certification made that such regulations would not have a 
significant economic effect upon a substantial number of small 
entities. In making the determination as to whether this rule would 
have a significant economic impact, the Department relied upon the data 
and assumptions for the counterpart Federal regulations.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), of the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:
    a. Does not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million.
    b. Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions.
    c. Does not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
    This determination is based upon the fact that the State submittal 
which is the subject of this rule is based upon counterpart Federal 
regulations for which an analysis was prepared and a determination made 
that the Federal regulation was not considered a major rule.

Unfunded Mandates

    This rule will not impose an unfunded Mandate on State, local, or 
tribal governments or the private sector of $100 million or more in any 
given year. This determination is based upon the fact that the State 
submittal, which is the subject of this rule, is based upon counterpart 
Federal regulations for which an analysis was prepared and a 
determination made that the Federal regulation did not impose an 
unfunded mandate.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 931

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.


[[Page 61685]]


    Dated: September 11, 2006.
Allen D. Klein,
Regional Director, Western Region.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 30 CFR part 931 is amended as 
set forth below:

PART 931--NEW MEXICO

0
1. The authority citation for part 931 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.


0
2. Section 931.15 is amended in the table by adding a new entry in 
chronological order by ``Date of final publication'' to read as 
follows:


Sec.  931.15  Approval of New Mexico regulatory program amendments.

* * * * *

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   Original amendment submission date          Date of final  publication             Citation/description
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                                                  * * * * * * *
November 18, 2005, as revised on March    October 19, 2006....................  NMSA, sections 69-25A-18.A, B,
 27, 2006.                                                                       C, D and F, concerning the
                                                                                 decisions of the Director and
                                                                                 appeals; NMSA, sections 69-25A-
                                                                                 29.A, B, C, D, and F,
                                                                                 concerning the administrative
                                                                                 review of a notice or order by
                                                                                 the Director; NMSA, sections 69-
                                                                                 25A-29.G, concerning deletion
                                                                                 of statutes allowing for review
                                                                                 by the Commission of decisions
                                                                                 of the Director; NMSA, section
                                                                                 69-25A-30.A, concerning
                                                                                 judicial review of final
                                                                                 decisions by the Director;
                                                                                 NMSA, sections 69-25A-36,
                                                                                 concerning termination of
                                                                                 agency life; NMAC, sections
                                                                                 19.8.11.1100.A(3), D, and D(2),
                                                                                 concerning public notices of
                                                                                 filing of permit applications;
                                                                                 NMAC, section 19.8.11.1101.C,
                                                                                 concerning opportunity for
                                                                                 submission of written comments
                                                                                 on permit applications; NMAC,
                                                                                 sections 19.8.11.1102.A and
                                                                                 B(2), concerning the right to
                                                                                 file written objections; NMAC,
                                                                                 sections 19.8.11.1103.A(3), B,
                                                                                 B(1), D, E(1), and F,
                                                                                 concerning hearings and
                                                                                 conferences; NMAC, section
                                                                                 19.8.11.1104.B, concerning
                                                                                 public availability of
                                                                                 information in permit
                                                                                 applications on file with the
                                                                                 Director; NMAC, sections
                                                                                 19.8.11.1105.C(2), D, E, and F,
                                                                                 concerning review of permit
                                                                                 applications; NMAC, sections
                                                                                 19.8.11.1106.C, D(3), F, G(1)
                                                                                 and (2), and N, concerning
                                                                                 criteria for permit approval or
                                                                                 denial; NMAC, sections
                                                                                 19.8.11.1107.A, B, B(1),
                                                                                 B(1)(b), B(3), C, D, E, and F,
                                                                                 concerning general procedures
                                                                                 for improvidently issued
                                                                                 permits; NMAC, section
                                                                                 19.8.11.1108.B, concerning
                                                                                 existing structures and
                                                                                 criteria for permit approval or
                                                                                 denial; NMAC, sections
                                                                                 19.8.11.1109.A(4), B, B(1) and
                                                                                 (2), B(2)(b), B(3), and D,
                                                                                 concerning permit approval or
                                                                                 denial actions; NMAC, section
                                                                                 19.8.11.1110.A(1), concerning
                                                                                 the rescission process for
                                                                                 improvidently issued permits;
                                                                                 NMAC, section 19.8.11.1111.B,
                                                                                 concerning permit terms; NMAC,
                                                                                 section 19.8.11.1113.C(2),
                                                                                 concerning conditions of permit
                                                                                 for environment, public health
                                                                                 and safety; NMAC, section
                                                                                 19.8.11.1114, concerning
                                                                                 conformance of permit; NMAC,
                                                                                 sections 19.8.11.1115.A, B, and
                                                                                 C, concerning verification of
                                                                                 ownership or control
                                                                                 application information; NMAC,
                                                                                 sections 19.8.11.1116.B and
                                                                                 B(2)(b), concerning review of
                                                                                 ownership or control and
                                                                                 violation information; NMAC,
                                                                                 sections 19.8.11.1117.A, A(1),
                                                                                 (2) and (3), B, C, D, D(1) and
                                                                                 (2), and D(2)(a) and (b),
                                                                                 concerning procedures for
                                                                                 challenging ownership or
                                                                                 control links shown in the
                                                                                 applicant violator system;
                                                                                 NMAC, sections 19.8.11.1118.B,
                                                                                 B(1), (2) and (3), B(3)(1), C,
                                                                                 C(1)(a) through (c), and C(2),
                                                                                 concerning standards for
                                                                                 challenging ownership or
                                                                                 control links and the status of
                                                                                 violations; NMAC, section
                                                                                 19.8.12.1201, deletion of rules
                                                                                 allowing for review by the
                                                                                 Commission of decisions of the
                                                                                 Director; NMAC, sections
                                                                                 19.8.12.1202.A, concerning
                                                                                 judicial review of final
                                                                                 decisions by the Director;
                                                                                 NMAC, sections 19.8.12.1202.B,
                                                                                 concerning judicial review of
                                                                                 decisions by the Commission;
                                                                                 and NMAC, sections
                                                                                 19.8.12.1203.A through L,
                                                                                 concerning formal review of
                                                                                 notices of violations,
                                                                                 cessation orders, and show
                                                                                 cause orders.
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[FR Doc. E6-17521 Filed 10-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P