[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 73 (Friday, April 17, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17806-17810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8883]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 946

[VA-126-FOR; Docket ID OSM-2008-0012]


Virginia Regulatory Program

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: We are reopening the public comment period on a proposed 
amendment to the Virginia regulatory program under the Surface Mining 
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Since the close 
of the comment period, Virginia revised its regulations pertaining to 
Valid Existing Rights (VER) and made other minor wording and 
organizational changes. Virginia intends to revise its program to be 
consistent with the corresponding Federal regulations and SMCRA and is 
responding, in part, to 30 CFR Part 732 letters.

DATES: We will accept written comments until 4 p.m., local time, May 4, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by ``VA-126-FOR/OSM-
2008-0012'' by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Mail/Hand Delivery: Earl Bandy, Knoxville Field Office, 
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 710 Locust 
Street, 2nd Floor, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902, Telephone: (865) 545-
4103.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
The proposed rule has been assigned Docket ID OSM-2008-0012. If you 
would like to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, 
go to http://www.regulations.gov and do the following. Click on the 
``Advanced Docket Search'' button on the right side of the screen. Type 
in the Docket ID OSM-2008-0012 and click the ``Submit'' button at the 
bottom of the page. The next screen will display the Docket Search 
Results for the rulemaking. If you click on OSM-2008-0012, you can view 
the proposed rule and submit a comment. You can also view supporting 
material and any comments submitted by others.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency 
docket number ``OSM-2008-0012/VA-126-FOR'' for this rulemaking. For 
detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information 
on the rulemaking process, see the ``Public Comment Procedures'' 
section in this document. You may also request to speak at a public 
hearing by any of the methods listed above or by contacting the 
individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Docket: You may review copies of the Virginia program, this 
submission, a listing of any scheduled public hearings, and all written 
comments received in response to this document at OSM's Knoxville Field 
Office at the address listed above during normal business hours, Monday 
through Friday, excluding holidays. You may receive one free copy of 
the submission by contacting OSM's Knoxville Field Office. In addition, 
you may receive a copy of the submission during regular business hours 
at the following location: Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and 
Energy, 3405 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219, 
Telephone: Legal Services Officer (276) 523-8157.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Earl Bandy, Telephone: (865) 545-4103. 
e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background on the Virginia Program
II. Description of the Submission
III. Public Comment Procedures

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 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 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.

[[Page 17807]]

II. Description of the Submission

    By letter dated June 11, 2008, the Virginia Department of Mines, 
Minerals, and Energy (DMME) sent us an informal proposed amendment to 
its program for a pre-submission review (VA-126-INF). We reviewed the 
pre-submission and responded to the DMME, with comments, via electronic 
mail on July 2, 2008. By letter dated July 17, 2008, the DMME formally 
submitted the proposed amendments to its program (Administrative Record 
No. VA-1089). We announced receipt of the amendment in the August 29, 
2008, Federal Register (73 FR 50915).
    OSM's review of the July 17, 2008, submittal identified several 
issues that we presented to the DMME. The first discussion occurred by 
telephone on September 4, 2008. As a result of that discussion the DMME 
submitted on the same date via electronic mail Memorandum 13-
86 which specifies application processing time limits for new permits 
and revision applications (Administrative Record No. VA-1093). The 
complete text of the Memorandum can be found at http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DMLR/docs/operatormemos. A subsequent meeting was 
held on October 16, 2008 (Administrative Record No. VA-1099). In an 
electronic mail message dated October 29, 2008 (Administrative Record 
No. VA-2000), the DMME provided its position in response to OSM's 
comments and agreed to expeditiously submit additional changes. On 
November 3, 2008, the DMME responded by submitting regulation changes 
via electronic mail (Administrative Record No. VA-2001). OSM provided 
additional comments on the regulation changes on November 13, 2008 
(Administrative Record No. VA-2002), and the DMME responded to these 
comments on November 20, 2008, by electronic mail (Administrative 
Record No. VA-2003). The DMME proposes the following changes:

1. 4VAC25-130-700.5 Definitions.

    The corresponding Federal regulation for this section is 30 CFR 
761.5. The DMME proposes to modify the definition of Valid Existing 
Rights (VER). As proposed, the definition will read as follows (revised 
text in italics):
    ``Valid existing rights'' means a set of circumstances under which 
a person may, subject to Division approval, conduct surface coal mining 
operations on lands where Section 45.1-252 D of the Act and Section 
4VAC25-130-761.11 of the regulations would otherwise prohibit such 
operations. The possession of valid existing rights only confers an 
exception from the prohibitions of Sections 45.1-252 D and 4VAC25-130-
761.11. A person seeking to exercise valid existing rights must comply 
with all pertinent requirements of the Act and the regulations 
promulgated thereunder, and would need:
    (a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this definition, a 
demonstration of the legally binding conveyance, lease, deed, contract, 
or other document which vests the person, or predecessor in interest, 
with the right to conduct the type of surface coal mining operations 
intended. The right must exist at the time the land came under the 
protection of Sections 4VAC25-130-761.11 and 45.1-252 D.

2. 4VAC25-130-761.11 Areas where mining is prohibited or limited; 
4VAC25-130-761.12 Exception for existing operations; 4VAC25-130-761.16 
Submission and processing of requests for valid existing rights 
determinations; 4VAC25-130-772.12 Permit requirements for exploration 
removing more than 250 tons of coal.

    The corresponding Federal regulations for the following sections 
are 30 CFR 761.11, 761.12, 761.16, and 772.12. The DMME proposes to add 
new sections 4VAC25-130-761.12, and 4VAC25-130-761.16 and revise 
4VAC25-130-761.11 and 4VAC25-130-772.12 to read as follows:
    (a) 4VAC25-130-761.11. Areas where mining is prohibited or limited. 
(Revised) Delete Paragraph (h) which reads as follows: There will be no 
surface coal mining, permitting, licensing, or exploration of Federal 
Lands in the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, 
National System of Trails, National Wilderness Preservation System, 
Wild and Scenic Rivers System, or National Recreation Areas, unless 
called for by Acts of Congress.
    (b) 4VAC25-130-761.12 Exception for existing operations. (New) The 
prohibitions and limitations of 4VAC25-130-761.11 do not apply to 
surface coal mining operations for which a valid permit, issued under 
Subchapter VG of this chapter, exists when the land comes under the 
protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11. This exception applies only to lands 
within the permit area as it exists when the land comes under the 
protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11.
    (c) 4VAC25-130-761.16 Submission and processing of requests for 
valid existing rights determinations. (New)
    (a) Basic framework for valid existing rights determinations. The 
table of 30 CFR 761.16(a) identifies the agency responsible for making 
a valid existing rights determination and the definition that it must 
use, based upon which subsection of 30 CFR 761.11 or 4VAC25-130-761.11 
applies and whether the request includes federal lands.
    (b) A request for a valid existing rights determination must be 
submitted to the Division, if a person intends to conduct surface coal 
mining operations on the basis of valid existing rights under 4VAC25-
130-761.11 or wishes to confirm the right to do so. The request may be 
submitted before the person prepares and submits an application for a 
permit or boundary revision for the land.
    (1) The person must provide a property rights demonstration under 
the definition of valid existing rights if the request relies upon the 
``good faith/all permits'' or the ``needed for and adjacent'' standard 
set forth in the valid existing rights definition in 4VAC25-130-700.5. 
For the land subject to the request, the demonstration must include:
    (i) A legal description of the land.
    (ii) Complete documentation of the character and extent of the 
person's current interests in the surface and mineral estates of the 
land.
    (iii) A complete chain of title for the surface and mineral estates 
of the land.
    (iv) A description of the nature and effect of each title 
instrument that forms the basis for the request, including any 
provision pertaining to the type or method of mining or mining-related 
surface disturbances and facilities.
    (v) A description of the type and extent of surface coal mining 
operations that the person claims the right to conduct, including the 
method of mining, any mining-related surface activities and facilities, 
and an explanation of how those operations would be consistent with 
Virginia property law.
    (vi) Complete documentation of the nature and ownership, as of the 
date that the land came under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11 or 
Section 45.1-252, of all property rights for the surface and mineral 
estates.
    (vii) Names and addresses of the current owners of the surface and 
mineral estates of the land.
    (viii) If the coal interests have been severed from other property 
interests, documentation that the person has notified and provided 
reasonable opportunity for the owners of other property interests in 
the land to comment on the validity of the person's property rights 
claims.

[[Page 17808]]

    (ix) Any comments that the person receives in response to the 
notification provided under subdivision (b)(1)(viii).
    (2) If the request relies upon the good faith/all permits standard 
in subdivision (b)(1) of the valid existing rights definition in 
4VAC25-130-700.5, in addition to the information provided by 
subdivision (b)(1) of this section, the person must also submit the 
information about permits, licenses, and authorizations for surface 
coal mining operations on the land subject to the request that the 
person or predecessor in interest obtained, submitted, or made:
    (i) Approval and issuance dates and identification numbers for any 
permits, licenses, and authorizations obtained before the land came 
under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11 or Section 45.1-252.
    (ii) Application dates and identification numbers for any permits, 
licenses, and authorizations submitted before the land came under the 
protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11 or Section 45.1-252.
    (iii) An explanation of any other good faith effort made to obtain 
the necessary permits, licenses, and authorizations as of the date that 
the land came under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11 or Section 
45.1-252.
    (3) If the request relies upon the needed for and adjacent standard 
in subdivision (b)(2) of the valid existing rights definition in 
4VAC25-130-700.5, in addition to the information provided by 
subdivision (b)(1) of this section, the person must explain how and why 
the land is needed for and immediately adjacent to the operation upon 
which the request is based, including a demonstration that prohibiting 
expansion of the operation onto that land would unfairly impact the 
viability of the operation as originally planned before the land came 
under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11 or Section 45.1-252.
    (4) If the request relies upon one of the standards for roads in 
subdivisions (c)(1-3) of the valid existing rights definition in 
4VAC25-130-700.5, the person must submit satisfactory documentation 
that:
    (i) The road existed when the land upon which it is located came 
under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11 or Section 45.1-252, and the 
person has a legal right to use the road for surface coal mining 
operations;
    (ii) A properly recorded right of way or easement for a road in 
that location existed when the land came under the protection of 
4VAC25-130-761.11 or Section 45.1-252, and, under the document creating 
the right of way or easement, and under any subsequent conveyances, the 
person has a legal right to use or construct a road across that right 
of way or easement to conduct surface coal mining operations; or
    (iii) A valid permit for use or construction of a road in that 
location for surface coal mining operations existed when the land came 
under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11 or Section 45.1-252.
    (c) Initial review of request. The Division must conduct an initial 
review to determine whether the request includes all applicable 
components of the submission requirements of subsection (b). The review 
pertains only to the completeness of the request, not the legal or 
technical adequacy of the materials submitted.
    (2) If the request does not include all applicable components of 
the submission requirements of subsection (b), the Division must notify 
the person and establish a reasonable time for submission of the 
missing information. Should the person not provide the information 
requested by the Division under this subdivision, within the time 
specified or as subsequently extended, the Division must issue a 
determination under subdivision (e)(4) that the person has not 
demonstrated valid existing rights.
    (3) When the request includes all applicable components of the 
submission requirements of subsection (b), the Division must implement 
the notice and comment requirements of subsection (d).
    (d)(1) When the division determines that the request satisfies the 
completeness requirements of subsection (c), it shall publish a notice 
in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the land 
is located inviting public comment on the merits of the request. OSMRE 
will publish a similar notice in the Federal Register if the request 
involves Federal lands within an area listed in 4VAC25-130-761.11(a) or 
(b). The public notice must include:
    (i) The location of the land to which the request pertains.
    (ii) A description of the type of surface coal mining operations 
planned.
    (iii) A reference to and brief description of the applicable 
standard(s) under the definition of valid existing rights in 4VAC25-
130-700.5.
    (A) If the request relies upon the ``good faith/all permits'' or 
the ``needed for and adjacent'' standard set forth in the valid 
existing rights definition in 4VAC25-130-700.5, the notice must include 
a description of the property rights that the person claims and the 
basis for the claim.
    (B) If the request relies upon the road standard set forth in 
subdivision (c)(1) of the valid existing rights definition in 4VAC25-
130-700.5, the notice must include a description of the basis for the 
claim that the road existed when the land came under the protection of 
4VAC25-130-761.11 or Section 45.1-252. In addition, the notice must 
include a description of the basis for the claim that the person has a 
legal right to use that road for surface coal mining operations.
    (C) If the request relies upon the standard in subdivision (c)(2) 
of the valid existing rights definition in 4VAC25-130-700.5, the notice 
must include a description of the basis for the claim that a properly 
recorded right of way or easement for a road in that location existed 
when the land came under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11 or Section 
45.1-252. In addition, the notice must include a description of the 
basis for the claim that, under the document creating the right of way 
or easement, and under any subsequent conveyances, the person has a 
legal right to use or construct a road across the right of way or 
easement to conduct surface coal mining operations.
    (iv) If the request relies upon one or more of the standards in 
subdivisions (b) and (c)(1and 2) and (c)(2) of the valid existing 
rights definition in 4VAC25-130-700.5, a statement that the Division 
will not make a decision on the merits of the request if, by the close 
of the comment period under the notice or the notice required by 
subdivision (d)(3), a person with a legal interest in the land 
initiates appropriate legal action in the proper venue to resolve any 
differences concerning the validity or interpretation of the deed, 
lease, easement, or other documents that form the basis of the valid 
existing rights claim.
    (v) A description of the procedures the division will follow in 
processing the request.
    (vi) The closing date of the public comment period, which shall be 
a minimum of 30 days after the notice's publication date.
    (vii) A statement that interested persons may request, in writing, 
from the Division a 30 day extension of the public comment period. The 
extension request shall set forth with reasonable specificity, the 
reasons the commenter needs the additional time to submit comments.
    (viii) Include the Division office's address where a copy of the 
valid existing rights request is available for public inspection and to 
where comments and requests for extension of the comment period should 
be sent.

[[Page 17809]]

    (2) The Division must promptly provide a copy of the notice 
required under subdivision (d)(1) to:
    (i) All reasonably locatable owners of surface and mineral estates 
in the land included in the valid existing rights request.
    (ii) The owner of the feature causing the land to come under the 
protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11, and, when applicable, the agency(ies) 
with primary jurisdiction over the feature with respect to the values 
causing the land to come under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11.
    (3) The notice required under subdivision (d)(2) must provide a 30 
day comment period, and specify that another 30 days may be granted for 
good cause shown at the discretion of the Division or agency 
responsible for the valid existing rights determination.
    (e)(1) The division or agency responsible for making the valid 
existing rights determination must review the materials submitted under 
subsection (b), comments received under subsection (d), and any other 
relevant, reasonably available information to determine whether the 
record is sufficiently complete and adequate to support a decision on 
the merits of the request. If not, the division must notify the person 
in writing, explaining the inadequacy of the record and requesting 
submittal, within a specified reasonable time, of any additional 
information that the division deems necessary to remedy the inadequacy.
    (2) Once the record is complete and adequate, the Division must 
determine whether you have demonstrated valid existing rights. The 
Division's decision must explain how the person has or has not 
satisfied all applicable elements of the valid existing rights 
definition under 4VAC25-130-700.5, contain findings of fact and 
conclusions, and specify the reasons for the conclusions.
    (3) When the request relies upon one or more of the standards in 
subdivisions (b) and (c)(1 and 2) of the valid existing rights 
definition in 4VAC25-130-700.5, the Division:
    (i) Must issue a determination that the person has not demonstrated 
valid existing rights if the property rights claim is the subject of 
pending litigation in a court or administrative body with jurisdiction 
over the property rights in question. The division will make the 
determination without prejudice, meaning that the person may refile the 
request once the property rights dispute is finally adjudicated. This 
applies only to situations in which legal action has been initiated as 
of the closing date of the comment period under subdivisions (d)(1) or 
(d)(3).
    (ii) If the record indicates disagreement as to the accuracy of the 
person's property rights claim, but the disagreement is not the subject 
of pending litigation in a court or administrative agency of competent 
jurisdiction, must evaluate the merits of the information in the record 
and determine whether the person has demonstrated that the requisite 
property rights exist under subdivision (a), (c)(1), or (c)(2) of the 
valid existing rights definition in 4VAC25-130-700.5, as appropriate. 
The Division must then proceed with the decision process under 
subdivision (e)(2) of this section.
    (4) The Division must issue a determination that the person has not 
demonstrated valid existing rights if the person does not submit 
information that the division requests under subdivision (c)(2) or 
(e)(1) of this section within the time specified or as subsequently 
extended. The Division will make the determination without prejudice, 
meaning the person may refile a revised request at any time.
    (5) After making a valid existing rights determination, the 
Division shall:
    (i) Provide the person a copy of the determination with an 
explanation of appeal rights and procedures to the person seeking the 
determination, owner or owners of the land to which the determination 
applies, owner of the feature causing the land to come under the 
protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11, and, when applicable, the agency with 
primary jurisdiction over the feature with respect to the values that 
caused the land to come under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11.
    (ii) Publish notice of the determination in a newspaper of general 
circulation in the county in which the land is located. OSMRE will 
publish the determination, together with an explanation of appeal 
rights and procedures, in the Federal Register if the request includes 
Federal lands within an area listed in 4VAC25-130-761.11(a) or (b).
    (f) The division's valid existing rights determination shall be 
subject to administrative and judicial review under 4VAC25-130-775.11 
and 4VAC25-130-775.13.
    (g) The division must make a copy of the valid existing rights 
determination request available to the public as provided by 4VAC25-
130-773.13(d), and the records associated with that request, and any 
subsequent determination under subsection (e) of this section, 
available to the public in accordance with 4VAC25-130-840.14.
    (d) 4VAC25-130-772.12. Permit requirements for exploration removing 
more than 250 tons of coal, or occurring on lands designated as 
unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. (Revised by adding 
paragraphs (b)(14) and (d)(2)(iv))
    (b) Application Information. Each application for an exploration 
permit shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
    (14) For any lands listed in 4VAC25-130-761.11, a demonstration 
that, to the extent technologically and economically feasible, the 
proposed exploration activities have been designed to minimize 
interference with the values for which those lands were designated as 
unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. The application must 
include documentation of consultation with the owner of the feature 
causing the land to come under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11, 
and, when applicable, with the agency with primary jurisdiction over 
the feature with respect to the values that caused the land to come 
under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11.
    (d) Decisions on applications for exploration.
    (2) The Division shall approve a complete and accurate application 
for a coal exploration permit filed in accordance with this Part if it 
finds, in writing, that the applicant has demonstrated that the 
exploration and reclamation described in the application will:
    (iv) With respect to exploration activities on any lands protected 
under 4VAC25-130-761.11, minimize interference, to the extent 
technologically and economically feasible, with the values for which 
those lands were designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining 
operations. Before making this finding, the division must provide 
reasonable opportunity to the owner of the feature causing the land to 
come under the protection of 4VAC25-130-761.11, and, when applicable, 
to the agency with primary jurisdiction over the feature with respect 
to the values that caused the land to come under the protection of 
4VAC25-130-761.11, to comment on whether the finding is appropriate.

3. 4VAC25-130-773.21 Improvidently issued permits; rescission 
procedures.

    The corresponding Federal regulation is 30 CFR 773.23(c)(2). At 
subsection (b), the DMME proposes to require that the division shall 
post notice of a permit suspension or rescission at its offices and on 
its internet home page. At subsection (e), the DMME proposes to require 
that if a permittee files an appeal

[[Page 17810]]

for administrative review of the notice or decision under subsection 
(c) under Sec.  4VAC25-130-775.11 and Sec.  2.2-4000 et seq of the Code 
of Virginia, the notice of the public hearing scheduled under this 
subsection will be posted at the division office located nearest to the 
permit.

4. 4VAC25-130-773.13 Public participation in permit processing.

    The corresponding Federal regulation is 30 CFR 773.6. The DMME 
proposes to change ``paragraph'' to ``subsection'' in section (b)(1).

5. 4VAC25-130-774.12 Post-permit issuance requirements.

    The corresponding Federal regulation for this section is 30 CFR 
774.11. The DMME proposes to change ``paragraph'' to ``subsection'' in 
section (e).

6. 4VAC25-130-774.17 Transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights.

    The corresponding Federal regulation for this section is 30 CFR 
774.17. The DMME proposes to change ``paragraph'' to ``subsection'' in 
section (a).

7. 4VAC130-778.13 Identification of interests.

    The corresponding Federal regulation for this section is 30 CFR 
778.11. The DMME proposes to change ``paragraph(s)'' to 
``subsection(s)'' in sections (c), (d), (k), and (m).

8. 4VAC25-130-801.13 Self-bonding.

    There is no direct Federal counterpart regulation for this section. 
The DMME proposes to change ``paragraph'' to ``subdivision'' in 
sections (a)(3), (a)(7), and (b).

9. 4VAC25-130-840.14 Aailability of records.

    The corresponding Federal regulation is 30 CFR 840.14(c). The DMME 
proposes to post a notice that states in part: Pursuant to Sec.  2.1-
340 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and Sec. Sec.  4 VAC 
25-130-700.14, 4 VAC 25-130-702.13, 4 VAC 25-130-772.15, 4 VAC 25-130-
773.13(d), and 4 VAC 25-130-840.14 (b) of the Virginia Coal Surface 
Mining Reclamation Regulations, the Division of Mined Land Reclamation 
(DMLR) will make available copies of all records, reports, inspection 
materials, permit applications, or information obtained by the Division 
for public inspection and copying. The Division will maintain the 
information at its principal office located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. 
The information will also be made available upon request at the 
Division's Lebanon office. The DMLR may, upon request, provide the 
information at other Federal, State, or local government office(s) 
located in the county where the mining is or may be proposed to occur, 
or provide the information electronically to the requestor. If a person 
wishes to inspect the information, he or she may visit or call one of 
DMLR's offices, or send an electronic request. Information regarding 
laws, regulations, public participation, complaints, guidance 
documents, procedures to request information, and other topics may be 
obtained from the DMLR's office or accessed through the DMLR's internet 
site. This notice will be sent to Circuit Court Clerks of coal-
producing counties (Lee, Wise, Scott, Dickenson, Russell, Tazewell, 
Buchanan); posted at DMLR offices; and placed on the DMME webpage.

III. Public Comment Procedures

    Under the provisions of 30 CFR 732.17(h), we are seeking your 
comments on whether the submission satisfies the applicable program 
approval criteria of 30 CFR 732.15. If we approve the amendment, it 
will become part of the Virginia program.

Electronic or Written Comments

    If you submit written comments, they should be specific, confined 
to issues pertinent to the proposed regulations, and explain the reason 
for any recommended change(s). We appreciate any and all comments, but 
those most useful and likely to influence decisions on the final 
regulations will be those that either involve personal experience or 
include citations to and analyses of SMCRA, its legislative history, 
its implementing regulations, case law, other pertinent Tribal or 
Federal laws or regulations, technical literature, or other relevant 
publications. We cannot ensure that comments received after the close 
of the comment period (see DATES) or sent to an address other than 
those listed above (see ADDRESSES) will be included in the docket for 
this rulemaking and considered.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you may 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 917

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: January 22, 2009.
Thomas D. Shope,
Regional Director.


    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on Tuesday, April 14, 2009.

[FR Doc. E9-8883 Filed 4-16-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P