Notification and Permit Processing

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

30 CFR Part 773

RIN 1029-AB80

Notification and Permit Processing

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of public comment period and notice of

public hearing.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM)

published a proposed rule in response to a petition for rulemaking

regarding notification and permit processing provisions of 30 CFR part

773. OSM has received requests to hold a public hearing on the proposed

rule and is announcing that public hearings will be held, and the

comment period reopened in order to accommodate the hearing.

DATES: Public Hearings: A public hearing is scheduled for March 16,

1995, in Vincennes, Indiana, at 6 p.m. local time. [[Page 13088]]

Written Comments: OSM will accept written comments on the proposed

rule until 5 p.m. Eastern time on March 23, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Public Hearings: The public hearing will be held at the

Executive Inn, One Executive Boulevard, Vincennes, Indiana.

Written Comments: Hand deliver to the Office of Surface Mining

Reclamation and Enforcement, Administrative Record, Room 660, 800 North

Capitol St., Washington, DC; or mail to the Office of Surface Mining

Reclamation and Enforcement, Administrative Record, Room 660 NC, 1951

Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20240.

Comments may also be sent electronically through the INTERNET to:

[email protected]. Please note that this address is different from the

address specified in the proposed rule (59 FR 53884).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Scott Boyce, Branch of Research and Technical Standards, Office of

Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Room 640 NC, 1951

Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20240; Telephone: 202-343-3938.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 26, 1994 (59 FR 53884), OSM

published a proposed rule which would amend its regulations in response

to a petition for rulemaking. The rulemaking would require that the

regulatory authority provide to each person who was a party to an

informal conference its written findings granting, requiring

modification of, or denying a permit application. The rulemaking would

also require both that an approved permit contain in its permit area

only lands for which the applicant has established a right-to-enter and

commence surface coal mining and reclamation operations, and that

compliance with an approved permit be based on activities to be

conduced solely upon such lands.

On December 23, 1994 (59 FR 66286), as a result of a commenter's

request, the comment period was extended to February 27, 1995. OSM has

received requests to hold a public hearing on the proposed rule.

Therefore, in order to accommodate the public hearing, OSM will reopen

the comment period. Comments will now be accepted until 5 p.m. local

time on March 23, 1995.

Refer to DATES and ADDRESSES for the times, dates and locations for

the hearing. The hearing will continue until all persons wishing to

testify have been heard. To assist the transcriber and ensure an

accurate record, OSM requests that persons who testify at a hearing

give the transcriber a written copy of their testimony.

Any disabled individual who needs special accommodations to attend

this public hearing should contact the individual listed under FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Dated: March 7, 1995.

Mary Josie Blanchard,

Acting Assistant Director, Reclamation and Regulatory Policy.

[FR Doc. 95-6027 Filed 3-7-95; 5:02 pm]

BILLING CODE 4310-05-M