Regulations Implementing the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1996, as Amended; Extension of Comment Period

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

20 CFR Parts 718, 722, 725, 726 and 727

RIN 1215-AA99

Regulations Implementing the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety

Act of 1996, as Amended; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Employemnt Standards Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document extends the period for filing comments regarding

the proposed rule to amend and revise the regulations implementing the

Black Lung Benefits Act. This action is taken to permit additional

comment from interested persons.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the proposed rule to James L.

DeMarce, Director, Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Room C-

3520, Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington,

DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James L. DeMarce, (202) 219-6692.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of the October 8,

1999, (64 FR 54965-55072), the Department of Labor published a proposed

rule intended to amend and revise the regulations implementing the

Black Lung Benefits Act, subchapter IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health

and Safety Act of 1969, as amended. Interested persons were requested

to submit comments on or before December 7, 1999.

The Department has received requests for an extension of the

comment period. In order to afford interested parties an appropriate

period in which to submit comments, the Department believes that it is

desirable to extend the comment period for 30 days. Therefore, the

comment period for the proposed rule, amending and revising 20 CFR

parts 718, 722, 725, 726 and 727, is extended for all interested

parties through January 6, 2000. On November 5, 1999, the Department

completed its mailing of the proposal to coal mine operators. This

extension will allow each potentially affected coal mine operator an

appropriate period to consider and respond to the proposed rule.

The Department has also received requests that it hold additional

hearings on the black lung regulations. In 1997, following the first

proposed revision of the regulations, in addition to extending the

comment period for 150 days, the Department held hearings in

Washington, DC, and Charleston, WV. The Department does not believe

that additional hearings are necessary.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 15th day of November, 1999.

Bernard E. Anderson,

Assistant Secretary for Employment Standards.

[FR Doc. 99-30174 Filed 11-17-99; 8:45 am]

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