Petitions for Modification

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Petitions for Modification

The following parties have filed petitions to modify the

application of mandatory safety standards under section 101(c) of the

Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Tanoma Mining Company

[Docket No. M-97-82-C]

Tanoma Mining Company, 1809 Chestnut Avenue, P.O. Box 25,

Barnesboro, Pennsylvania 15714 has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and gas wells) to its Tanoma Mine

(I.D. No. 36-06967) located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The

petitioner proposes to plug and mine through oil and gas wells. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

2. Eastern Associated Coal Corp.

[Docket No. M-97-83-C]

Eastern Associated Coal Corp., P.O. Box 1233, Charleston, West

Virginia 25324 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.352 (return air courses) to its Harris No. 1/Rocklick Coal Handling

Facility (I.D. No. 46-08610) located in Boone County, West Virginia.

The petitioner proposes to develop a coal handling facility (tunnel)

between two (2) existing preparation plants; Harris Preparation Plant,

MSHA 46-03135, WVDEP 0-72-82, and the Rocklick Preparation Plant, MSHA

46-06448, WVDEP 0-5091-86. The coal handling facility would be

developed by excavation of a coal seam 24-36 inches in thickness and by

excavating 48-60 inches of rock, with the length of the tunnel at

approximately 10,700 feet. The excavation would only be for a short

term project, and the projected construction life twelve (12) to

eighteen (18) months, with no coal removal other than the projected

entries, which would serve only as a coal handling facility and not to

produce coal. The petitioner proposes to mine with a two-entry system

with the conveyor haulageway being located in the return air course as

only one entry is required to facilitate the coal handling facility

conveyor belt. The petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide

monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in the belt

entry and primary escapeway of all two-entry development. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

3. Turris Coal Company

[Docket No. M-97-84-C]

Turris Coal Company, P.O. Box 21, Elkhart, Illinois 62634 has filed

a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air course and

belt haulage entries) to its Elkhart Mine (I.D. No. 11-02664) located

in Logan County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to use intake air

coming from belt haulage entries to ventilate workings. The petitioner

proposes to install a carbon monoxide monitoring system as an early

warning system along belt haulage entries. The petitioner asserts that

its ability to meet regulatory volume and control requirements at the

working face will be enhanced by the approval of this requested

modification.

4. H & H Enterprises, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-85-C]

H & H Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 35, Brownsville, Pennsylvania

15417 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1103-

4 (automatic fire sensor and warning device system; installation;

minimum requirements) to its Meadow Run Mine (I.D. No. 36-07987)

located in Green County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use a

CO monitoring system instead of the existing point-type heat sensors.

The petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon monoxide

detection system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt

entries where the system identifies the belt flight; to locate the

monitoring devices so that the air is monitored at each belt drive and

tailpiece, and at intervals not to exceed 1,000 feet along each

conveyor belt entry, except as provided in Item No. 1(c) and Item No.

10 of this petition; and to submit proposed revisions of its approved

part 48 training plan to the District Manager that would include

initial and refresher training regarding compliance with the conditions

in the Proposed Decision and Order. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

5. H & H Enterprises, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-86-C]

H & H Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 35, Brownsville, Pennsylvania

15417 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350

(air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Meadow Run Mine (I.D. No.

36-07987) located in Green County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner

proposes to use a CO monitoring system instead of the existing point-

type heat senors. The petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon

monoxide monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in

all belt entries where the system identifies the belt flight; to locate

the monitoring devices so that the air is monitored at each belt drive

and tailpiece, and at the intervals not to exceed 1,000 feet along each

conveyor belt entry, except as provided in Item No. 1(c) and Item No.

10 of this petition; and to submit proposed revisions of its part 48

training plan to the District Manager that would include initial and

refresher training regarding compliance with the conditions specified

by the Proposed Decision and Order. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

Request for Comments

Persons interested in these petitions may furnish written comments.

These comments must be filed with the Office

[[Page 44725]]

of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, Mine Safety and Health

Administration, Room 627, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia

22203. All comments must be postmarked or received in that office on or

before September 22, 1997. Copies of these petitions are available for

inspection at that address.

Dated: August 18, 1997.

Patricia W. Silvey,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.

[FR Doc. 97-22345 Filed 8-21-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-43-P