[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 128 (Thursday, July 5, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36595-36598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12979]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 946

[VA-123-FOR]


Virginia Regulatory Program

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

ACTION: Final rule; approval of amendment.

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SUMMARY: We are approving an amendment to the Virginia regulatory 
program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 
(SMCRA or the Act). Virginia is revising its remining regulations to 
make three of those provisions permanent by deleting a termination date 
of September 30, 2004, from the regulations. The amendment is intended 
to render the State regulations consistent with recent amendments to 
SMCRA.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 5, 2007.

[[Page 36596]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tim Dieringer, Director, Knoxville 
Field Office; Telephone: (276) 523-4303. Internet: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background on the Virginia Program
II. Submission of the Amendment
III. OSM's Findings
IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments
V. OSM's Decision
VI. Procedural Determinations

I. Background on the Virginia 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 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 the Act * * *; and 
rules and regulations consistent with regulations issued by the 
Secretary pursuant to the Act.'' See 30 U.S.C. 1253(a)(1) and (7). On 
the basis of these criteria, the Secretary of the Interior 
conditionally approved the Virginia program on December 15, 1981. You 
can find background information on the Virginia program, including the 
Secretary's findings, the disposition of comments, and conditions of 
approval of the Virginia program in the December 15, 1981, Federal 
Register (46 FR 61088). You can also find later actions concerning 
Virginia's program and program amendments at 30 CFR 946.12, 946.13, and 
946.15.

II. Submission of the Amendment

    By letter dated February 13, 2007 (Administrative Record Number VA-
1058), the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) 
submitted an amendment to the Virginia program. In its letter, the DMME 
stated that the program amendment revises the Virginia Coal Surface 
Mining Reclamation Regulations to reflect the deletion from SMCRA, at 
section 510(e), of the termination date of section 510(e) of September 
30, 2004.
    Section 510 of SMCRA concerns permit approval or denial. Subsection 
510(e) provides an exception to the prohibition of subsection (c), 
which prohibits the issuance of a permit where any surface coal mining 
operation owned or controlled by an applicant is currently in violation 
of SMCRA or such other laws referenced at subsection 510(c). Prior to 
being amended by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, subsection 
510(e) provided as follows:

    (e) After the date of enactment of this subsection, the 
prohibition of subsection (c) shall not apply to a permit 
application due to any violation resulting from an unanticipated 
event or condition at a surface coal mining operation on lands 
eligible for remining under a permit held by the person making such 
application. As used in this subsection, the term ``violation'' has 
the same meaning as such term has under subsection (c). The 
authority of this subsection and section 515(b)(20)(B) shall 
terminate on September 30, 2004.

    The effect of the deletion of the termination date in the SMCRA 
provision quoted above (the entire last sentence was deleted) is 
twofold: (1) It makes permanent the authority at subsection 510(e) of 
SMCRA to approve a permit application for surface coal mining 
operations on lands eligible for remining notwithstanding the existence 
of a violation resulting from an unanticipated event or condition at 
the site, and (2) it makes permanent the two-year revegetation 
responsibility period for lands eligible for remining at subsection 
515(b)(20)(B) of SMCRA.
    In its amendment, Virginia is deleting the termination date of 
September 30, 2004, from three of its program regulations concerning 
remining.
    We announced receipt of the proposed amendment in the April 9, 
2007, Federal Register (72 FR 17449). 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 May 4, 2007. No comments were received.

III. OSM's Findings

    1. 4 VAC 25-130-785.25. Lands eligible for remining.
    This provision is amended by deleting subsection (c) in its 
entirety. Currently, 4 VAC 25-130-785.25 provides as follows:

    (a) This section contains permitting requirements to implement 4 
VAC 25-130-773.15(b)(4). Any person who submits a permit application 
to conduct a surface coal mining operation on lands eligible for 
remining must comply with this section.
    (b) Any application for a permit under this section shall be 
made according to all requirements of this subchapter applicable to 
surface coal mining and reclamation operations. In addition, the 
application shall:
    (1) To the extent not otherwise addressed in the permit 
application, identify potential environmental and safety problems 
related to prior mining activity at the site and that could be 
reasonably anticipated to occur. This identification shall be based 
on a due diligence investigation which shall include visual 
observations at the site, a record review of past mining at the 
site, and environmental sampling tailored to current site 
conditions.
    (2) With regard to potential environmental and safety problems 
referred in subdivision (b)(1) of this section, describe the 
mitigative measures that will be taken to ensure that the applicable 
reclamation requirements of this chapter can be met.
    (c) The requirements of this section shall not apply after 
September 30, 2004.

    In its submittal letter, the DMME stated that the deletion of 
subsection (c) containing the termination date of September 30, 2004, 
is intended to reflect the deletion of that same termination date at 
subsection 510(e) of SMCRA.
    We find that the deletion of the termination date of September 30, 
2004, renders 4 VAC 25-130-785.25 consistent with and no less stringent 
than Sec.  510(e) of SMCRA and can be approved.
    2. 4 VAC 25-130-816.116(c)(2)(ii) and 817.116(c)(2)(ii). 
Revegetation; standards for success.
    These provisions are amended by deleting the phrase ``included in 
permits issued before September 30, 2004, or any renewals thereof'' at 
the end of the first sentence in subparts (c)(2)(ii). Currently, 4 VAC 
25-130-816.116(c) and 817.116(c) provide as follows:

    (c) (1) The period of extended responsibility for successful 
revegetation shall begin after the last year of augmented seeding, 
fertilizing, irrigation, or other work, excluding husbandry 
practices that are approved by the division in accordance with 
subdivision (c)(3) of this section.
    (2) The period of responsibility shall continue for a period of 
not less than:
    (i) Five full years except as provided in subdivision (c)(2)(ii) 
of this section. The vegetation parameters identified in subsection 
(b) of this section for grazing land or pastureland and cropland 
shall equal or exceed the approved success standard during the 
growing seasons of any two years of the responsibility period, 
except the first year. Areas approved for the other uses identified 
in subsection (b) of this section shall equal or exceed the 
applicable success standard during the growing season of the last 
year of the responsibility period.
    (ii) Two full years for lands eligible for remining included in 
permits issued before September 30, 2004, or any renewals thereof. 
To the extent that the success standards are established by 
subdivision (b)(5) of this section, the lands shall equal or exceed 
the standards during the growing season of the last year of the 
responsibility period.
    (3) The division may approve selective husbandry practices, 
excluding augmented seeding, fertilization, or irrigation, without 
extending the period of responsibility for revegetation success and 
bond liability, if such practices can be expected to continue as 
part of the postmining land use or if discontinuance of the 
practices after the liability period expires will not reduce the 
probability of permanent revegetation success. Approved practices 
shall be normal

[[Page 36597]]

conservation practices within the region for unmined lands having 
land uses similar to the approved postmining land use of the 
disturbed area, including such practices as disease, pest, and 
vermin control; and any pruning, reseeding and/or transplanting 
specifically necessitated by such actions.

    In its submittal letter, the DMME stated that the deletion of the 
September 30, 2004, termination date at subparts (c)(2)(ii) is intended 
to reflect the deletion of that same termination date at subsection 
510(e) of SMCRA.
    We find that the deletion of the termination date of September 30, 
2004, renders 4 VAC 25-130-816.116(c)(2)(ii) and 817.116(c)(2)(ii) 
consistent with and no less stringent than Sec.  510(e) of SMCRA and 
can be approved.

IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments

Public Comments

    We asked for public comments on the amendment (Administrative 
Record Number VA-1068) and no comments were received.

Federal Agency Comments

    Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i) and section 503(b) of SMCRA, on 
February 22, 2007, we requested comments on the amendments from various 
Federal agencies with an actual or potential interest in the Virginia 
program (Administrative Record Number VA-1060). The United States 
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management responded and 
stated that they found no inconsistencies with the proposed changes and 
the Federal Laws, which govern mining. The United States Department of 
Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration responded and stated that 
there did not seem to be any conflicts with the changes and deemed the 
changes appropriate. The United States Department of the Interior, Fish 
and Wildlife Service responded and stated that no impacts to Federally 
listed or proposed species or Federally designated critical habitat 
will occur and was in agreement with the changes made.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Concurrence and Comments

    Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(ii), we are required to get a written 
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 Virginia proposed to 
make in this amendment pertain to air or water quality standards. 
Therefore, we did not ask EPA to concur on the amendment.
    Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(II)(i), we requested comments on the 
amendment from the EPA (Administrative Record number VA-1060). No 
comments were received.

V. OSM's Decision

    Based on the above findings, we are approving the amendment sent to 
us by Virginia on February 13, 2007. To implement this decision, we are 
amending the Federal regulations at 30 CFR part 946, which codify 
decisions concerning the Virginia 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

    The provisions in the rule based on counterpart Federal regulations 
do not have takings implications. This determination is based on the 
analysis performed for the counterpart Federal regulations. The 
revisions made at the initiative of the State that do not have Federal 
counterparts have also been reviewed and a determination made that they 
do not have takings implications. This determination is based on the 
fact that the provisions are administrative and procedural in nature 
and are not expected to have a substantive effect on the regulated 
industry.

Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule is exempt from review by the Office of Management and 
Budget under Executive Order 12866.

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 basis for this determination is that our decision is on a State 
regulatory program and does not involve Federal regulations involving 
Indian lands.

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.

[[Page 36598]]

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. 
4332(2)(C)).

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. 
3507 et seq.).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that a portion of the 
provisions in 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.) because they are 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. The Department of the Interior 
also certifies that the provisions in this rule that are not based upon 
counterpart Federal regulations 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.). This determination is based on 
the fact that the provisions are administrative and procedural in 
nature and are not expected to have a substantive effect on the 
regulated industry.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), 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; and (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 a portion 
of the State provisions are 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. For the portion of 
the State provisions that is not based upon counterpart Federal 
regulations, this determination is based upon the fact that the State 
provisions are administrative and procedural in nature and are not 
expected to have a substantive effect on the regulated industry.

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 a portion of 
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. For the portion of the State provisions that is not 
based upon counterpart Federal regulations, this determination is based 
upon the fact that the State provisions are administrative and 
procedural in nature and are not expected to have a substantive effect 
on the regulated industry.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 946

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: May 29, 2007.
Brent Wahlquist,
Regional Director, Appalachian Region.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 30 CFR Part 946 is amended as 
set forth below:

PART 946--VIRGINIA

0
1. The authority citation for part 946 continues to read as follows:

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


0
2. Section 946.15 is amended in the table by adding a new entry in 
chronological order by ``Date of final publication'' to read as 
follows:


Sec.  946.15  Approval of Virginia regulatory program amendments.

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original amendment submission    Date of final
             date                 publication      Citation/description
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                              * * * * * * *
February 13, 2007............  July 5, 2007.....  4 VAC 25-130-
                                                   785.25(c)(deleted); 4
                                                   VAC 25-130-816.116
                                                   and
                                                   817.116(c)(2)(ii).
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[FR Doc. E7-12979 Filed 7-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P