Texas Regulatory Program

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

30 CFR Part 943

[SPATS No. TX-025-FOR]

Texas Regulatory Program

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

Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; public comment period and opportunity for public

hearing.

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SUMMARY: OSM is announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Texas

regulatory program (hereinafter the ``Texas program'') under the

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). The

proposed amendment consists of the recodification of the Texas Surface

Coal Mining and Reclamation Act. The proposed amendment is intended to

reclassify and rearrange the statutes into a format that will

accommodate future expansion of the law and to eliminate repealed,

invalid, and duplicative provisions in order to make the statutes more

understandable and usable without altering the meaning or effect of the

law.

DATES: Written comments must be received by 4 p.m., c.s.t., November

15, 1995. If requested, a public hearing on the proposed amendment will

be held on November 13, 1995. Requests to speak at the hearing must be

received by 4 p.m., c.s.t., on October 31, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests to speak at the hearing should

be mailed or hand delivered to Mr. Jack R. Carson, Acting Director,

Tulsa Field Office, at the address listed below.

Copies of the Texas program, the proposed amendment, a listing of

any scheduled public hearings, and all written comments received in

response to this document will be available for public review at the

addresses listed below during normal business hours, Monday through

Friday, excluding holidays. Each requester may receive one free copy of

the proposed amendment by contacting OSM's Tulsa Field Office.

the Texas program, the proposed amendment, a listing of

any scheduled public hearings, and all written comments received in

response to this document will be available for public review at the

addresses listed below during normal business hours, Monday through

Friday, excluding holidays. Each requester may receive one free copy of

the proposed amendment by contacting OSM's Tulsa Field Office.

Jack R. Carson, Acting Director, Tulsa Field Office, Office of Surface

Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 5100 East Skelly Drive, Suite 470,

Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74135-6547, Telephone: (918) 581-6430.

Railroad Commission of Texas, Surface Mining and Reclamation Division,

1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 12967, Austin, Texas, 78711-2967,

Telephone: (512) 463-6900.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Jack R. Carson, Acting Director, Tulsa Field Office, Telephone:

(918) 581-6430.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background on the Texas Program

On February 16, 1980, the Secretary of the Interior conditionally

approved the Texas program. General background information on the Texas

program, including the Secretary's findings, the disposition of

comments, and the conditions of approval can be found in the February

27, 1980, Federal Register (45 FR 12998). Subsequent actions concerning

the Texas program can be found at 30 CFR 943.10, 943.15, and 943.16.

II. Description of the Proposed Amendment

By letter dated August 24, 1995 (Administrative Record No. TX-594),

Texas submitted a proposed amendment to its program pursuant to SMCRA.

Texas submitted the proposed amendment at its own initiative. The

proposed amendment concerns recodification of the Texas Surface Coal

Mining and Reclamation Act (TSCMRA) as enacted by Senate Bill (SB) 959,

74th Texas Legislature (1995). SB 959 codified, with revisions, the

TSCMRA at Chapter 134 of Title 4, Natural Resources Code, and it

repealed Article 5920-11, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, with the

exception of sections 11 (b), (c), and (d)

iative. The

proposed amendment concerns recodification of the Texas Surface Coal

Mining and Reclamation Act (TSCMRA) as enacted by Senate Bill (SB) 959,

74th Texas Legislature (1995). SB 959 codified, with revisions, the

TSCMRA at Chapter 134 of Title 4, Natural Resources Code, and it

repealed Article 5920-11, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, with the

exception of sections 11 (b), (c), and (d). Substantive revisions which

pertain to the approved Texas program are discussed below.

1. Recodification

The substantive provisions in Article 5920-11, TSCMRA, sections 1

through 38, with the exception of sections 3(2), 3(7), 11(b)-(d),

18(d), 27(c), 34(b), and 35(4) are proposed to be recodified at Chapter

134 of Title 4, Natural Resources Code, TSCMRA, sections 134.001

through 134.188. Listed below are the existing Article 5920-11 section

numbers with the new corresponding Chapter 134 section numbers.

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Article 5920-11 Section Chapter 134 Section

------------------------------------------------------------------------

1...................................... 134.001.

2(1)-(5)............................... 134.002.

2(5)(A)-(F)............................ 134.003.

3(1)................................... 134.004(2).

3(3)-(6)............................... 134.004(3)-(6)

3(8)-(15).............................. 134.004(8)-(15)

3(16)-(18)............................. 134.004(18)-(20)

3(19).................................. 134.004(16)

4(a)................................... 134.012(a)(1).

4(b)................................... 134.012(a)(2), (b)-(c).

4(c)................................... 134.188

5...................................... 134.011.

6...................................... 134.013.

7...................................... 134.141.

8(a)................................... 134.144.

8(b)................................... 134.143.

8(c)................................... 134.145

............................ 134.012(a)(2), (b)-(c).

4(c)................................... 134.188

5...................................... 134.011.

6...................................... 134.013.

7...................................... 134.141.

8(a)................................... 134.144.

8(b)................................... 134.143.

8(c)................................... 134.145.

8(d)................................... 134.146, 147.

8(e)................................... 134.148, 149.

9(a)................................... 134.150.

9(b)................................... 134.151.

10..................................... 134.152.

11(a).................................. 134.051.

12(a).................................. 134.071, 073

12(b).................................. 134.072.

13(a).................................. 134.074, 075.

13(b).................................. 134.075(c).

13(c).................................. 134.076.

13(d).................................. 134.077, 078.

14(a)(1)-(a)(15)....................... 134.052, 012(d).

14(a) (16)............................. 134.031(a).

14(b).................................. 134.031(b).

15(1)-(13)............................. 134.041.

15(14)................................. 134.031(c)

16..................................... 134.042.

17..................................... 134.057.

18(a)-(b).............................. 134.054(a)-(c).

18(c).................................. 134.055

19..................................... 134.056.

20(a).................................. 134.058, 059, 060.

20(b).................................. 134.061.

20(c).................................. 134.062(a).

20(d).................................. 134.062(b).

20(e).................................. 134.063.

20(f).................................. 134.064.

21(a).................................. 134.065.

21(b).................................. 134.066, 067, 012(d).

21(c).................................. 134.068, 069

.................. 134.061.

20(c).................................. 134.062(a).

20(d).................................. 134.062(b).

20(e).................................. 134.063.

20(f).................................. 134.064.

21(a).................................. 134.065.

21(b).................................. 134.066, 067, 012(d).

21(c).................................. 134.068, 069.

21(d).................................. 134.070.

22(a).................................. 134.079, 080, 081, 076(a).

22(b).................................. 134.083.

22(c).................................. 134.082(a).

23(a).................................. 134.091.

23(b).................................. 134.092(a).

23(b)(1)-(2)........................... 134.092(a) (1)-(2).

23(b)(3)............................... 134.092(a)(3), 093, 094.

23(b)(4)............................... 134.092(a)(4).

23(b)(5)............................... 134.092(a)(5), 095.

23(b)(6)............................... 134.092(a)(6).

23(b)(7)............................... 134.092(a)(7), 096 097.

23(b)(8)............................... 134.092(a)(8).

23(b)(9)............................... 134.092(a)(9), 098.

23(b)(10).............................. 134.092(a)(10), 099.

23(b)(11).............................. 134.092(a)(11).

23(b)(12).............................. 134.092(a)(12), 100.

23(b)(13).............................. 134.092(a)(13), 092(b).

23(b)(14).............................. 134.092(a)(14).

23(b)(15).............................. 134.092(a)(15), 101.

23(b)(16).............................. 134.092(a)(16), 102.

23(b)(17)-(18)......................... 134.092(a)(17)-(18).

23(b)(19).............................. 134.092(a)(19), 103.

23(b)(20).............................. 134.092(a)(20), 104, 105.

23(b)(21).............................. 134.092(a)(21).

23(b)(22).............................. 134.092(a)(22), 106.

23(b)(23)-25........................... 134.092(a)(23)-(25)

........ 134.092(a)(16), 102.

23(b)(17)-(18)......................... 134.092(a)(17)-(18).

23(b)(19).............................. 134.092(a)(19), 103.

23(b)(20).............................. 134.092(a)(20), 104, 105.

23(b)(21).............................. 134.092(a)(21).

23(b)(22).............................. 134.092(a)(22), 106.

23(b)(23)-25........................... 134.092(a)(23)-(25).

23(c).................................. 134.107.

23(d).................................. 134.108.

23(e).................................. 134.109.

24..................................... 134.052(19), 053.

25(a).................................. 134.121, 122.

25(b).................................. 134.125, 126.

25(c).................................. 134.123, 124.

25(d).................................. 134.127.

26(a).................................. 134.128, 129.

26(b).................................. 134.130, 132(a).

26(c).................................. 134.131.

26(d).................................. 134.132(b).

26(e).................................. 134.133.

26(f).................................. 134.134.

27(a), (d)............................. 134.014.

27(b).................................. 134.031(d).

28..................................... 134.015.

29(a).................................. 134.026.

29(b).................................. 134.029.

29(c).................................. 134.027.

29(d).................................. 134.030.

29(e).................................. 134.028.

29(f).................................. 134.007.

30(a).................................. 134.174.

30(b).................................. 134.175.

30(c).................................. 134.176.

30(d).................................. 134.178.

30(e).................................. 134.179.

30(f).................................. 134.177.

30(g).................................. 134.181.

30(h).................................. 134.180.

31(a).................................. 134.182(a)

30(b).................................. 134.175.

30(c).................................. 134.176.

30(d).................................. 134.178.

30(e).................................. 134.179.

30(f).................................. 134.177.

30(g).................................. 134.181.

30(h).................................. 134.180.

31(a).................................. 134.182(a).

31(b).................................. 134.183(a)-(c).

31(c)(A)............................... 134.183(d).

31(c)(B)............................... 134.182(d).

31(d)(1)............................... 134.184.

31(d)(2)............................... 134.185.

31(e).................................. 134.186.

31(f).................................. 134.187.

31(g).................................. 134.182(b) and (c), 184.

32(a).................................. 134.161, 163.

32(b).................................. 134.162, 163.

32(c)(1)............................... 134.168, 169.

32(c)(2)............................... 134.170.

32(c)(3)............................... 134.171.

32(c)(4)............................... 134.164(b) and (d).

32(c)(5)............................... 134.172.

32(d).................................. 134.164(a) and (b).

32(e).................................. 134.165, 166, 167.

32(f).................................. 134.173.

33(a).................................. 134.016.

33(b).................................. 134.020, 021.

33(c).................................. 134.017, 018.

33(d).................................. 134.019.

33(e).................................. 134.022.

34(a).................................. 134.023.

35(1)-(3).............................. 134.005.

36..................................... 134.024.

37(a).................................. 134.006.

37(b).................................. 134.110.

38..................................... 134.025.

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................. 134.022.

34(a).................................. 134.023.

35(1)-(3).............................. 134.005.

36..................................... 134.024.

37(a).................................. 134.006.

37(b).................................. 134.110.

38..................................... 134.025.

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2. All references to the Texas Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation

Act are proposed to be changed from ``Act'' to ``chapter'' throughout

the recodified statutes.

3. All references to the ``Administrative procedure and Texas

Register Act, as amended'' are proposed to be changed to ``Chapter

2001, Government Code'' throughout the recodified statutes.

4. Chapter 134, Section 134.004 (Article 5920-11, Sec. 3), Definitions

a. Texas is proposing to define ``Affected person'' at Chapter 134,

section 134.004(1), as meaning ``a person having an interest that is or

may be affected.'' Accordingly, all references to ``a person having an

interest that is or may be affected'' are proposed to be changed to

``affected person'' throughout the recodified statutes.

b. Texas is proposing to remove its definition for ``Applicant'' at

existing Article 5920-11, section 3(2). Therefore, this definition is

not proposed to be recodified.

c. Texas is proposing to remove the language ``and water

impoundments may be permitted if the commission determines that they

are in compliance with Section 23(b)(8) of this Act'' from the

definition of ``Approximate original contour,'' which is recodified at

Chapter 134, section 134.004(3) (existing Article 5920-11, section

3(3)).

d. Texas is proposing to remove its definition for ``Eligible land

and water'' at existing Article 5920-11, section 3(7). Therefore, this

definition is not proposed to be recodified.

e. Texas is proposing to define ``Federal Act'' at Chapter 134,

section 134.004(7), as meaning ``the Surface Mining Control and

Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C

004(3) (existing Article 5920-11, section

3(3)).

d. Texas is proposing to remove its definition for ``Eligible land

and water'' at existing Article 5920-11, section 3(7). Therefore, this

definition is not proposed to be recodified.

e. Texas is proposing to define ``Federal Act'' at Chapter 134,

section 134.004(7), as meaning ``the Surface Mining Control and

Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. Section 1201 et seq.).''

Consequently, all references to SMCRA are proposed to be changed to

``federal Act'' throughout the recodified statutes.

f. At Chapter 134, section 134.004(13) [existing Article 5920-11,

section 3(13)], Texas is proposing to change the term ``permittee'' to

``permit holder.'' Accordingly, all references to ``permittee'' are

proposed to be changed to ``permit holder'' throughout the recodified

statutes.

g. Texas proposes to change the term ``Secretary'' to ``Secretary

of agriculture'' at Chapter 134, section 134.004(16) [existing Article

5920-11, section 3(19)]. Consequently, all references to ``secretary''

are proposed to be changed to ``secretary of agriculture'' throughout

the recodified statutes.

h. Texas proposes to define ``Secretary of the interior'' as

meaning ``the secretary of the United States Department of the

Interior.'' Accordingly, all references to ``the secretary of the

United States Department of the Interior'' are proposed to be changed

to ``the secretary of the interior'' throughout the recodified

statutes.

5. Chapter 134, Sec. 134.012 and 134.188 (Article 5920-11, Sec. 4, as

Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Legislature and Acts 1985, 69th

Legislature), Jurisdiction

ted States Department of the

Interior.'' Accordingly, all references to ``the secretary of the

United States Department of the Interior'' are proposed to be changed

to ``the secretary of the interior'' throughout the recodified

statutes.

5. Chapter 134, Sec. 134.012 and 134.188 (Article 5920-11, Sec. 4, as

Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Legislature and Acts 1985, 69th

Legislature), Jurisdiction

At Chapter 134, section 134.012(a)(2), (b), and (c) and section

134.188 [Article 5920-11, section 4(b) and (c), as amended by Acts

1983, 68th Legislature and Acts 1985, 69th Legislature], Texas proposes

to add provisions for jurisdiction of the commission over iron ore, and

iron ore gravel mining and reclamation operations. Section

134.012(a)(2) [Article 5920-11, section 4(b), as amended] would provide

for exclusive jurisdiction over iron ore and iron ore gravel mining and

reclamation operations in the State of Texas. Section 134.012(b)

[Article 5920-11, section (4)(b), as amended] would provide for Chapter

134 to govern these operations to the extent it can be made applicable.

Section 134.012(c) [Article 5920-11, section 4(1) and (2), as amended]

would provide for exceptions for iron ore and iron ore gravel mining

and reclamation activity in progress on or before September 1, 1985 or

for iron ore and iron ore gravel mining operation and reclamation

activity that is conducted solely on real property owned in fee simple

by the person authorizing the operation or reclamation activity and

that is confined to a single, contiguous tract of land if the activity

is conducted in an area not larger than 20 acres, the depth of the

mining operation is restricted to 30 inches or less, and the fee simple

owner receives surface damages. Section 134.188 [Article 5920-11,

section 4(c), as amended] would

ned in fee simple

by the person authorizing the operation or reclamation activity and

that is confined to a single, contiguous tract of land if the activity

is conducted in an area not larger than 20 acres, the depth of the

mining operation is restricted to 30 inches or less, and the fee simple

owner receives surface damages. Section 134.188 [Article 5920-11,

section 4(c), as amended] would

provide that it is a defense to a civil or criminal penalty under

Chapter 134 that a person allegedly conducting an iron ore or iron ore

gravel mining and reclamation operation in violation of Chapter 134 has

a written general warranty of ownership of land, separate from any

lease, from the person authorizing the operation./

6. At Chapter 134, section 134.057(b) [existing Article 5920-11,

section 17(b)], Texas is proposing to add a new provision that

specifies that subsection (b) does not apply to records, reports,

inspection materials, or information that is confidential under section

134.031.

7. Chapter 134, Sections 134.054 and 134.055 (Existing Article 5920-11,

Section 18, as Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Legislature and Acts 1985,

69th Legislature), Application Fees

a. At Chapter 134, section 134.054(b) [Article 5920-11, section

18(b), as amended (old section 18(a)], Texas proposes to change its

minimum initial application fee for a permit from $1,000 to $5,000,

require a minimum application fee of $3,000 for renewal of a permit,

and require a minimum application fee of $500 for revision of a permit.

b. Texas proposes to remove the provision at Article 5920-11,

section 18(d), as amended (old section 18(b)), that requires an

application fee to be deposited in the state treasury and credited to

the general revenue fund. Therefore, this provision is not proposed to

be recodified at Chapter 134.

c

r renewal of a permit,

and require a minimum application fee of $500 for revision of a permit.

b. Texas proposes to remove the provision at Article 5920-11,

section 18(d), as amended (old section 18(b)), that requires an

application fee to be deposited in the state treasury and credited to

the general revenue fund. Therefore, this provision is not proposed to

be recodified at Chapter 134.

c. At Chapter 134, section 134.054(c) [Article 5920-11, section

18(b), as amended], Texas proposes to allow initial application fees

and renewal application fees to be paid in equal annual installments

during the term of the permit.

d. Texas proposes to add a new provision at Chapter 134, section

134.055 [Article 5920-11, section 18(c), as amended], that requires a

permit holder to pay the commission an annual fee, in an amount

determined by the commission, for each acre of land in the permit area

on which the permit holder actually conducted operations for removing

coal during the year; the fee is due by March 15 of the year following

the year of the removal operations; and the minimum fee is $120 an

acre.

8. Texas proposes to remove the provision in existing Article 5920-

11, section 21(c), that requires an applicant to file a schedule

listing notices of violation ``of any department or agency in the

United States.'' Therefore, this provision is not proposed to be

recodified at Chapter 134.

9. Texas proposes to remove the provision at existing Article 5920-

11, section 27(c), that requires persons who conduct coal exploration

operations that substantially disturb the natural land surface in

violation of its statutes or rules to be subject to its civil penalty

provisions. Therefore, this provision is not proposed to be recodified

at Chapter 134.

10

be

recodified at Chapter 134.

9. Texas proposes to remove the provision at existing Article 5920-

11, section 27(c), that requires persons who conduct coal exploration

operations that substantially disturb the natural land surface in

violation of its statutes or rules to be subject to its civil penalty

provisions. Therefore, this provision is not proposed to be recodified

at Chapter 134.

10. Texas proposes to remove the provision at existing Article

5920-11, section 34(b), that requires any agency, unit, or

instrumentality of federal, state, or local government, including any

publicly owned utility or publicly owned corporation of federal, state,

or local government, that proposes to engage in surface coal mining

operations that are subject to the requirements of TSCMRA to comply

with all provisions of TSCMRA. Therefore, this provision is not

proposed to be recodified at Chapter 134.

11. Texas proposes to remove the provision at existing Article

5920-11, section 35(4), that exempts from the provisions of TSCMRA the

extraction of coal incidental to the extraction of other minerals where

the coal does not exceed 16\2/3\ percent of the total tonnage of coal

and other minerals removed annually for purposes of commercial use or

sale or coal explorations subject to TSCMRA. Therefore, this provision

is not proposed to be recodified at Chapter 134, section 134.005.

III. Public Comment Procedures

In accordance with the provisions of 30 CFR 732.17(h), OSM is

seeking comments on whether the proposed amendment satisfies the

applicable program approval criteria of 30 CFR 732.15. If the amendment

is deemed adequate, it will become part of the Texas program.

Written Comments

e, this provision

is not proposed to be recodified at Chapter 134, section 134.005.

III. Public Comment Procedures

In accordance with the provisions of 30 CFR 732.17(h), OSM is

seeking comments on whether the proposed amendment satisfies the

applicable program approval criteria of 30 CFR 732.15. If the amendment

is deemed adequate, it will become part of the Texas program.

Written Comments

Written comments should be specific, pertain only to the issues

proposed in this rulemaking, and include explanations in support of the

commenter's recommendations. Comments received after the time indicated

under DATES or at locations other than the Tulsa Field Office will not

necessarily be considered in the final rulemaking or included in the

Administrative Record.

Public Hearing

Persons wishing to speak at the public hearing should contact the

person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by 4:00 p.m.,

c.s.t., on October 31, 1995. The location and time of the hearing will

be arranged with those persons requesting the hearing. If no one

requests an opportunity to speak at the public hearing, the hearing

will not be held.

Filing of a written statement at the time of the hearing is

requested as it will greatly assist the transcriber. Submission of

written statements in advance of the hearing will allow OSM officials

to prepare adequate responses and appropriate questions.

The public hearing will continue on the specified date until all

persons scheduled to speak have been heard. Persons in the audience who

have not been scheduled to speak, and who wish to do so, will be heard

following those who have been scheduled. The hearing will end after all

persons scheduled to speak and persons present in the audience who wish

to speak have been heard.

Any disabled individual who has need for a special accommodation to

attend a public hearing should contact the individual listed under FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Public Meeting

ak, and who wish to do so, will be heard

following those who have been scheduled. The hearing will end after all

persons scheduled to speak and persons present in the audience who wish

to speak have been heard.

Any disabled individual who has need for a special accommodation to

attend a public hearing should contact the individual listed under FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Public Meeting

If only one person requests an opportunity to speak at a hearing, a

public meeting, rather than a public hearing, may be held. Persons

wishing to meet with OSM representatives to discuss the proposed

amendment may request a meeting by contacting the person listed under

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All such meetings will be open to the

public and, if possible, notices of meetings will be posted at the

locations listed under ADDRESSES. A written summary of each meeting

will be made a part of the Administrative Record.

IV. Procedural Determinations

Executive Order 12866

This rule is exempted from review by the Office of Management and

Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and

Review).

Executive Order 12778

The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required

by section 2 of Executive Order 12778 (Civil Justice Reform) and has

determined that, to the extent allowed by law, 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 since each such

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 30

CFR

e submittal which is the subject of this rule is 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. Accordingly, this rule will ensure that existing requirements

previously promulgated by OSM will be implemented by the State. 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.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 943

Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

Dated: October 3, 1995.

Brent Wahlquist,

Regional Director, Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center.

[FR Doc. 95-25561 Filed 10-13-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-05-M