Title 30—Mineral Resources--Volume 1
PART 917—KENTUCKY
§ 917.1   Scope.
This part contains all rules applicable only within Kentucky that have been adopted under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.
§ 917.10   State regulatory program approval.
The Kentucky State program as resubmitted on December 30, 1981, and amended and clarified on February 22, 1982, was conditionally approved, effective May 18, 1982. Beginning on that date, the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection was deemed the regulatory authority in Kentucky for surface coal mining and reclamation operations and for coal exploration operations on non-Federal and non-Indian lands. Copies of the approved program are available for review at:
(a) Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Lexington Field Office, 2675 Regency Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40503-2922.
(b) Department for Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Number 2, Hudson Hollow Complex, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.
§ 917.11   Conditions of State regulatory program approval.
The approval of the Kentucky State program is subject to the state revising its program to correct the deficiencies listed in this section. The program revisions may be made, as appropriate, to the statute, to the regulations, to the program narrative, or by means of a legal opinion. This section indicates, for the general guidance of the State, the component of the program to which the Secretary recommends the change be made.
(a)-(p) [Reserved]
§ 917.12   State regulatory program and proposed program amendment provisions not approved.
(a) The Director does not approve the following provisions of the proposed program amendment concerning permit renewals that Kentucky submitted on April 23, 1998:
(1) The phrase “* * * if a permit has expired or * * *” in KRS 350.060(16).
(2) The following sentence in KRS 350.060(16): “Upon the submittal of a permit renewal application, the operator or permittee shall be deemed to have timely filed the permit renewal application and shall be entitled to continue, under the terms of the expired permit, the surface coal mining operation, pending the issuance of the permit renewal.”
(b) Subsections (2) through (6) of the amendment submitted as House Bill 599 on May 9, 2000, are hereby not approved, effective June 20, 2001.
(c) The amendment submitted by letter dated April 12, 2002, proposing a new section of the Kentucky Revised Statutes at Chapter 350 and referenced as Kentucky House Bill 405, is hereby not approved, effective November 20, 2002.
(d) The phrase “* * * coal mining activities and * * *” in KRS 350.445(3)(g) is not approved.
(e) The exemption from the engineer inspection requirements of subsection 9 for an impoundment with no embankment structure, that is completely incised, or is created by a depression left by backfilling and grading, that is not a sedimentation pond or coal mine waste impoundment and is not otherwise intended to facilitate active mining at section 1(9)(c) at 405 KAR 16/18:100 is not approved. The exemption from examination for an impoundment with no embankment structure, that is completely incised or created by a depression left by backfilling and grading but not meeting MSHA requirements at 30 CFR 77.216 or not meeting the Class B and C classifications at section 1(10)(b) is not approved to the extent that it is not implemented and managed in accordance with the provisions of OSM Directive TSR-2.
(f) The changes to Kentucky's Notice of Assessment of Civil Penalties and Penalty Assessment Conference Officer's Report that specify that prepayment of a proposed assessment or penalty is no longer required are not approved.
(g) We are deferring our decision on the bi-annual actuarial review provision of 350 KRS 350.509 until such time as we are able to evaluate the stability of the Kentucky Reclamation Guaranty Fund (KRGF) over its first three full years of implementation.
(h) We are not approving 405 KAR 10:015 8(7).
(i) We are not approving revisions to KRS 350.0301 made by 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 85 that would have eliminated a requirement that Kentucky promulgate regulations providing that operators must place proposed civil penalty assessments into an escrow account prior to a formal hearing on the amount of the assessment.
§ 917.13   State statutory and regulatory provisions set aside.
(a) The following provision of Kentucky Revised Statute at KRS 350.060(22) is inconsistent with section 701(28) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and is hereby set aside effective December 1, 1985:
“(22) All operations involving the crushing, screening, or loading of coal which do not separate the coal from its impurities, and which are not located at or near the mine site, shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter.”
(b) Reserved]
(c) The following portions of the Kentucky Revised Statute at KRS 350.060(16) are inconsistent with section 506 of SMCRA and less effective than 30 CFR 843.11 and are set aside effective September 6, 2000:
The specific wording is the phrase “if a permit has expired or . . .” and the following sentence:
Upon the submittal of a permit renewal application, the operator or permittee shall be deemed to have timely filed the permit renewal application and shall be entitled to continue, under the terms of the expired permit, the surface coal mining operation, pending the issuance of the permit renewal.
§ 917.15   Approval of Kentucky regulatory program amendments.
(a) The following is a list of the dates amendments were submitted to OSM, the dates when the Director's decision approving all, or portions of these amendments, were published in the Federal Register and the State citations or a brief description of each amendment. The amendments in this table are listed in order of the date of final publication in the Federal Register.
(b) The Director is deferring his decision on the enforcement provisions of section 720 of the Act from its effective date (October 24, 1992), to the effective date of KRS 350.421(1) and (2) (July 15, 1994).
§ 917.16   Required regulatory program amendments.
(a)-(b) [Reserved]
(c) Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17, Kentucky is required, prior to implementation of the following statutory amendments, to submit to the Director proposed regulations to implement the amendments, and to receive the Director's approval of the regulations:
(1)-(3) [Reserved]
(d) Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17, Kentucky is required to submit for OSM's approval the following proposed amendments by the dates specified:
(1)-(5) [Reserved]
(e)-(m) [Reserved]
(n) By October 5, 1998, Kentucky shall amend the Kentucky program, or provide a written description of an amendment together with a timetable for enactment which is consistent with established administrative or legislative procedures in the State, to delete the term “haul roads” at sections 1(7)(b) of 405 KAR 16:200 and 18:200.
(o)-(p) [Reserved]
§ 917.17   State regulatory program amendments not approved.
(a) The amendment to Kentucky's regulations at 405 KAR 16:060 Section 8(4)(c); 18:060 Section 12(4)(c) and 18:210 Section 3(5)(c) which were originally submitted by Kentucky on July 30, 1997 and later amended are disapproved.
(b) The amendment at Kentucky Revised Statute 350.060(22) submitted by Kentucky on May 26, 1982, and the legal opinion (insofar as it relates to this amendment) and Reclamation Advisory Memorandum No. 33 submitted by Kentucky on October 28, 1983, are hereby disapproved effective September 17, 1985.
(c) The amendment to Kentucky's program transferring $3,840,000 from the Kentucky Bond Pool Fund to the Commonwealth's General Fund for the 2002-2003 fiscal year is not approved.
(d) The addition of the word “abated” to modify the term “violation” in paragraph (4)(a) of section 3 of Chapter 7:090 of Title 405 of the Kentucky Administrative Regulations, as submitted to OSMRE by letter dated April 27, 1988, is hereby disapproved. The effect of the disapproval is to continue the requirement that any person who chooses not to contest the fact of violation (whether abated or not) or the assessment shall pay the assessment in full within 30 days of the date the final assessment order was mailed.
(e) We are not approving the following provision of the proposed Kentucky program amendments dated November 25, 2019: KAR Chapter 10:001 Section 1, Subsection 26—Definition of “Long term treatment”.
§ 917.20   Approval of the Kentucky abandoned mine reclamation plan.
The Kentucky Abandoned Mine Reclamation Plan as submitted on June 4, 1981, is approved. Copies of the approved program are available at the following locations:
(a) Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Lexington Field Office, 2675 Regency Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40503-2922.
(b) Commonwealth of Kentucky, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet, Division of Abandoned Lands, 618 Teton Trail, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.
§ 917.21   Approval of Kentucky abandoned mine land reclamation plan amendments.
(a) The Kentucky Amendment, submitted to OSM on December 8, 1982, is approved. You may receive a copy from:
(1) Commonwealth of Kentucky, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet, Division of Abandoned Lands, 618 Teton Trail, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601; or
(2) Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Lexington Field Office, 2675 Regency Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40503-2922.
(b) The Kentucky Abandoned Mine Reclamation Amendment, submitted to OSM on March 25, 1985, is approved. Copies may be obtained at the addresses listed in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) The following is a list of the dates amendments were submitted to OSM, the dates when the Director's decision approving all, or portions of these amendments, were published in the Federal Register and the State citations or a brief description of each amendment. The amendments in this table are listed in order of the date of final publication in the Federal Register.
(d) The Kentucky Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Plan amendment, submitted to OSM on April 29, 2002, is approved with the following exceptions. The word “or,” which appears at the end of paragraph 1 of the section entitled “Lands for Permanent Facilities,” is not approved. We are approving the State of Kentucky's incorporation by reference of the Federal AML Enhancement Rule into their regulations. This approval is subject to the restrictions placed upon the Federal regulation by the court in Kentucky Resources Council v. Norton, 2002 U.S. App. Lexis 11365, Slip. Op. at 5. (D.C. Cir. May 30, 2002) The “Reclamation Agreements” provision at the end of Chapter 12 only applies to AML reclamation projects authorized through the Federal AML grant process. Copies may be obtained at the address listed in (a)(2) of this section for OSM or the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet, Division of Abandoned Mine Lands, 2521 Old Lawrenceburg Road, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.
(e) The Kentucky AMLR Plan amendment submitted on April 23, 2007, and consisting of revisions to KRS Chapter 350 that correspond to changes to the Federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 resulting from the Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, is approved.
§ 917.30   State-Federal cooperative agreement.
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (the Governor) and the Secretary of the Department of the Interior (the Secretary) enter into a Cooperative Agreement (Agreement) to read as follows:
This Agreement is authorized by Section 523(c) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (Act), 30 U.S.C. 1273(c), which allows a State with a permanent regulatory program approved by the Secretary under 30 U.S.C. 1253, to elect to enter into an Agreement for the regulation and control of coal exploration operations not subject to 43 CFR Group 3400 and surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands. This Agreement provides for State regulation consistent with the Act, the Federal lands program (30 CFR Chapter VII, Subchapter D) and the approved Kentucky State Program (Program) for surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands.
The purposes of this Agreement are to (a) foster Federal-State cooperation on the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations and coal exploration operations not subject to 43 CFR Group 3400, (b) minimize intergovernmental duplication of effort, and (c) provide for uniform and effective application of the Program on all lands in Kentucky in accordance with the Act and the Program.
The Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet (NREPC), acting through the Department for Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (DSMRE), shall be responsible for administering this Agreement on behalf of the Governor. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) shall administer this Agreement on behalf of the Secretary.
After being signed by the Secretary and the Governor, this Agreement shall be effective on October 1, 1998. This Agreement shall remain in effect until terminated as provided for in Article XI.
The terms and phrases used in this Agreement, which are defined in the Act, 30 CFR Parts 700, 701 and 740 and defined in the KRS 350 and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to that Act, shall have the same meanings as set forth in said definitions. Where there is a conflict between the above referenced State and Federal definitions, the definitions used in the approved State Program will apply except in the case of a term which defines the Secretary's continuing responsibilities under the Act or other laws.
In accordance with the Federal lands program, the laws, regulations, terms and provisions of the Program are applicable to Federal lands in Kentucky except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, The Act, 30 CFR 740.4 and 745.13 or other applicable Federal laws, Executive Orders or regulations.
Orders and decisions issued by the NREPC in accordance with the Program that are appealable shall be appealed to the reviewing authority in accordance with the Program. Orders and decisions issued by the Secretary or his authorized agents that are appealable shall be appealed to the Department of the Interior's Office of Hearings and Appeals.
The Governor and the Secretary affirm that they will comply with all provisions of this Agreement.
NREPC has and shall continue to have the authority under State law to carry out this agreement.
Upon application by NREPC, and subject to appropriations, OSM will provide the State with funds to defray the costs associated with carrying out its responsibilities under this Agreement as provided in Section 705(c) of the Act and 30 CFR part 735. Such funds will cover the full cost incurred by NREPC in carrying out those responsibilities. The amount of the grant will be determined using the procedures specified in the Federal Assistance Manual Chapter 3-10 and appendix III.
For purposes of this agreement, actual costs of NREPC's administration of its approved program on Federal lands in accordance with this agreement shall be that percentage of NRECP's total program expenditures during any specific grant period that equals the percentage of Federal lands within all lands under permit in the State of Kentucky for that specific grant period.
If NREPC applies for a grant but sufficient funds have not been appropriated to OSM, OSM and NREPC will meet to decide upon appropriate measures that will insure that mining operations on Federal lands located in Kentucky are regulated in accordance with the approved Program. The NREPC also reserves the right to terminate this agreement should OSM be unable to adequately fund this program.
NREPC will make annual reports to OSM containing information with respect to compliance with terms of this Agreement pursuant to 30 CFR 745.12(d).
Upon request, NREPC and OSM will exchange information generated under this Agreement, except where prohibited by Federal or State law.
OSM will provide NREPC with a copy of any final evaluation reports prepared concerning State administration and enforcement of this Agreement. NREPC comments on the report will be attached before being sent to the Congress or other interested parties.
NREPC shall have the personnel necessary to fully implement this Agreement in accordance with the provision of the Act, applicable regulations, the Federal lands program and the approved Program.
NREPC will assure itself access to equipment, laboratories and facilities to perform all inspections, investigations, studies, tests and analyses that are necessary to carry out the requirements of this Agreement.
The amount of the fee accompanying an application for a permit for operations on Federal lands in Kentucky shall be determined in accordance with KRS 350.060 and Federal law. All permit fees and civil penalties collected from operations on Federal lands will be retained by the State. Permit fees shall be considered Program income. Civil penalties shall not be considered Program income. The financial status report submitted to OSM pursuant to 30 CFR 735.26 shall include the amount of fees and civil penalties collected and attributable to Federal lands during the prior State fiscal year.
NREPC will assume primary responsibility for the analysis, review, and approval, disapproval, or conditional approval of the permit application component of the permit application package (PAP) required by 30 CFR 740.13 for surface coal mining and reclamation operations in Kentucky on Federal lands. NREPC will assume the responsibilities for review of permit applications to the extent authorized in 30 CFR 740.4(c)(1), (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7).
For proposals to conduct surface coal mining operations involving leased Federal coal, OSM is responsible for preparing a mining plan decision document in accordance with 30 CFR 746.13 and obtaining the Secretary's approval.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for matters concerned exclusively with regulations under 43 CFR Group 3400.
The Secretary reserves the right to act independently of NREPC to carry out responsibilities under laws other than the Act or provisions of the Act not covered by the Program, and in instances of disagreement over the Act and the Federal lands program. The Secretary will make determinations under the Act that cannot be delegated to the State, some of which have been delegated to OSM.
Responsibilities and decisions which can be delegated to NREPC under other applicable Federal laws may be specified in working agreements between OSM and the State with the concurrence of any Federal agency involved and without amendment to this agreement.
NREPC shall require an applicant proposing to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands to submit a PAP with an appropriate number of copies to NREPC. NREPC will furnish OSM, the Federal land management agency, and any other agency with jurisdiction or responsibility over Federal lands affected by operations proposed in the PAP with an appropriate number of copies of the PAP. The PAP will be in the form required by NREPC and will include any supplemental information required by OSM, the Federal land management agency, and any other agency with jurisdiction or responsibility over Federal lands affected by operations proposed in the PAP.
At a minimum, the PAP will satisfy the requirements of 30 CFR 740.13(b) and include the information necessary for NREPC to make a determination of compliance with the Program, and for OSM, the appropriate Federal land management agencies, and any other agencies with jurisdiction or responsibilities over Federal lands affected by operations proposed in the PAP to make determinations of compliance with applicable requirements of the Act, the Federal lands program, other Federal laws, Executive Orders, and regulations for which they are responsible.
NREPC will be the primary point of contact for applicants regarding the review of the PAP for compliance with the Program and State laws and regulations. OSM will review the applicable portions of the PAP for compliance with the non-delegated responsibilities of the Act and for compliance with the requirements of other Federal laws, Executive Orders, and regulations.
OSM and NREPC will develop a work plan and schedule for PAP reviews that comply with the time limitations established by the approved State program, and each agency will designate a person as the Federal lands liaison. The Federal lands liaisons will serve as the primary points of contact between OSM and NREPC throughout the review process. Not later than 45 calendar days after receipt of an administratively complete PAP, unless a different schedule is agreed upon, OSM will furnish NREPC with its review comments on the PAP and specify any requirements for additional data.
OSM and NREPC will coordinate with each other during the review process as needed. NREPC will send to OSM copies of any correspondence with the applicant and any information received from the applicant regarding the PAP.
OSM will send to NREPC copies of all OSM correspondence which may have a bearing on the PAP.
OSM will provide technical assistance to NREPC when requested, and will have access to NREPC files concerning operations on Federal lands. NREPC will keep OSM informed of findings made during the review process which bear on the responsibilities of OSM or other Federal agencies.
NREPC will, to the extent authorized, consult with the Federal land management agency and BLM pursuant to 30 CFR 740.4(c)(2) and (3), respectively. NREPC will also be responsible for obtaining the comments and determinations of other agencies with jurisdiction or responsibility over the Federal lands affected by the operations proposed in the PAP. NREPC will request all Federal agencies to furnish their findings or any request for additional information to NREPC within 45 calendar days of the date of receipt of the PAP. OSM will, upon request, assist NREPC in obtaining such information.
In accordance with 30 CFR 745.12(g)(2), where lands containing leased Federal coal are involved, NREPC will provide OSM, in the form specified by OSM in consultation with NREPC, with written findings indicating that each permit application is in compliance with the terms of the regulatory program and a technical analysis of each permit application to assist OSM in meeting its responsibilities under other applicable Federal laws and regulations.
Where leased Federal coal is involved, OSM will consult with and obtain the concurrences of BLM, the Federal land management agency, and any other agency with jurisdiction or responsibility over the Federal lands affected by the operations proposed in the PAP as required to make its recommendation for the Secretary's decision on the mining plan.
Where BLM contacts the applicant in carrying out its responsibilities under 43 CFR Group 3400, BLM will immediately inform NREPC of its actions and provide NREPC with a copy of documentation of all decisions within 5 calendar days.
NREPC will prepare a State decision package, including written findings and supporting documentation, indicating whether the PAP is in compliance with the Program. NREPC will make the decision on approval, disapproval, or conditional approval of the permit on Federal lands.
Any permit issued by NREPC will incorporate any lawful terms or conditions imposed by the Federal land management agency, including conditions relating to post-mining land use, and will be conditioned upon compliance with the requirements of the Federal land management agency.
NREPC may make a decision on approval, disapproval, or conditional approval of the permit on Federal lands in accordance with the Program prior to the necessary Secretarial decision on the mining plan when leased Federal coal is involved, provided that NREPC advises the operator in the permit that Secretarial approval of the mining plan must be obtained before the operator may conduct surface coal mining operations on the Federal lease. NREPC will reserve the right to amend or rescind any requirements of the permit to conform with any terms or conditions imposed by the Secretary in the approval of the mining plan.
After making its decision on the PAP, NREPC will send a notice to the applicant, OSM, the Federal land management agencies, and any other agency with jurisdiction or responsibility over Federal lands affected by the operations proposed in the PAP. A copy of the permit and written findings will be provided to OSM upon request.
Any permit revision or renewal for a surface coal mining and reclamation operation on Federal lands will be reviewed and approved, or disapproved, by NREPC after consultation with OSM on whether such revision or renewal constitutes a mining plan modification pursuant to 30 CFR 746.18. OSM will inform NREPC within 10 calendar days of receiving a copy of a proposed permit revision or renewal, whether the permit revision or renewal constitutes a mining plan modification.
Transfer, assignment, or sale of permit rights on Federal lands shall be processed in accordance with the Program and 30 CFR 740.13(e).
NREPC will conduct inspections of all surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands, in accordance with 30 CFR 740.4(c)(5) and the Program and prepare and file inspection reports in accordance with the Program. NREPC, subsequent to conducting any inspection pursuant to 30 CFR 740.4(c)(5), and in a timely fashion which will not exceed 45 calendar days, will file with OSM's Lexington Field Office a legible copy of the completed State inspection report.
NREPC will be the point of contact and primary inspection authority in dealing with the operator concerning operations and compliance with the requirements covered by this Agreement, except as described hereinafter. Nothing in this Agreement will prevent inspections by authorized Federal or State land management agencies for purposes other than those covered by this Agreement. The Department of the Interior acting through OSM, the Federal land management agency or any other agency with jurisdiction or responsibility over Federal lands to be affected under the proposed PAP, may conduct any inspections necessary to comply with obligations under 30 CFR Parts 842 and 843 and any laws other than the Act.
OSM will give NREPC reasonable notice of its intent to conduct an inspection under 30 CFR 842.11 in order to provide NREPC inspectors with an opportunity to accompany OSM inspectors. When OSM is responding to a citizen complaint of an imminent danger to the public health and safety, or of significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air or water resources pursuant to 30 CFR 842.11(b)(1)(ii)(c), it will contact NREPC and provide the opportunity for a joint Federal/State inspection. Inability of NREPC to make an immediate joint inspection will not be cause for OSM to delay a Federal inspection where a citizen has alleged, and OSM has reason to believe, that an imminent danger to the public health and safety, or significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air or water resources exists. All citizen complaints which do not involve an imminent danger or significant, imminent environmental harm will be referred to NREPC for action in accordance with OSM regulations, policies, and procedures.
NREPC will have primary enforcement authority under the Act concerning compliance with the requirements of this Agreement and the Program in accordance with 30 CFR 740.4(c)(5). Enforcement authority given to the Secretary under other Federal laws and Executive Orders including, but not limited to, those listed in appendix A (attached) is reserved to the Secretary.
During any joint inspections by OSM and NREPC, NREPC will have primary responsibility for enforcement procedures including issuance of orders of cessation, notices of violation, and assessment of penalties. NREPC will inform OSM prior to issuance of any decision to suspend or revoke a permit on Federal lands.
During any inspection made solely by OSM or any joint inspection where NREPC and OSM fail to agree regarding the propriety of any particular enforcement action, OSM may take any enforcement action necessary to comply with 30 CFR Parts 843, 845, and 846. Such enforcement action will be based on the standards in the Program, the Act, or both, and will be taken using the procedures and penalty system contained in 30 CFR Parts 843, 845, and 846.
NREPC and OSM will within 5 calendar days notify each other of all violations of applicable laws, regulations, orders, or approved mining permits subject to this Agreement, and of all actions taken with respect to such violations.
Personnel of NREPC and OSM will be mutually available to serve as witnesses in enforcement actions taken by either party.
This Agreement does not affect or limit the Secretary's authority to enforce violations of Federal laws other than the Act.
NREPC and the Secretary will require each permittee who conducts operations on Federal lands to submit a performance bond payable to the State of Kentucky for an amount adequate to cover the operator's responsibilities under the Act and Program. Such performance bond will be conditioned upon compliance with all requirements of the Act, the Program, State rules and regulations, and any other requirements imposed by the Department of the Interior. Such bond will state on its face that in the event the Federal Lands Cooperative Agreement between Kentucky and the U.S. Department of the Interior is terminated, the portion of the bond covering the Federal lands increment(s) shall be assigned to the United States. The bond shall also state that if subsequent to the forfeiture of the bond, the Cooperative Agreement is terminated, any unspent or uncommitted proceeds of the portion of the bond covering the Federal lands increment(s) shall be assigned to and forwarded to the United States. NREPC will advise OSM within 30 calendar days of any adjustments to the performance bond made pursuant to the Program.
Prior to releasing the permittee from any obligation under such bond for surface coal mining operations involving leased Federal coal, NREPC will obtain the concurrence of OSM. OSM concurrence will include coordination with the Federal land management agency and any other agency with jurisdiction or responsibility over Federal lands affected by the surface coal mining and reclamation operation.
Submission of a performance bond does not satisfy the requirements for a Federal lease bond required by 43 CFR subpart3474 or lessee protection bond required in addition to a performance bond, in certain circumstances, by Section 715 of the Act. Where Federal lease bonds or protections are required, OSM or the appropriate Federal agency is responsible for the collection and maintenance of such bonds.
1. Authority to designate Federal lands as unsuitable for mining pursuant to a petition is reserved to the Secretary.
2. When either NREPC or OSM receives a petition to designate land areas unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations that could impact adjacent Federal or non-Federal lands pursuant to Section 522(c) of the Act, the agency receiving the petition will notify the other agency of receipt within 5 calendar days and of the anticipated schedule for reaching a decision, and request and fully consider data, information and recommendations of the other agency. OSM will coordinate with the Federal land management agency and any other agency with jurisdiction or responsibility over Federal lands within or adjacent to the petition area and will solicit comments from these agencies.
The following actions will be taken when requests for determinations of VER pursuant to Section 522(e)(1) or (2) of the Act or for determinations of compatibility pursuant to Section 522(e)(2) of the Act are received:
1. For Federal lands where proposed operations are prohibited or limited by Section 522(e)(1) or (2) of the Act and 30 CFR 761.11(a) or (b), OSM will make the VER determination.
2. OSM will process requests for determinations of compatibility under Section 522(e)(2) of the Act and 30 CFR 761.11(b) and 761.12(c).
This Agreement may be terminated by the Governor or the Secretary under the provisions of 30 CFR 745.15.
If this Agreement has been terminated in whole or in part, it may be reinstated under the provisions of 30 CFR 745.16. The Secretary reserves the powers and authority specified in 30 CFR 745.13.
This Agreement may be amended by mutual agreement of the Governor and the Secretary in accordance with 30 CFR 745.14.
The Secretary or NREPC may, from time to time, promulgate new or revised performance or reclamation requirements or enforcement and administrative procedures. Each party will, if it determines it to be necessary to keep this Agreement in force, change or revise its regulations or request necessary legislative action.
Such changes will be made under the procedures of 30 CFR part 732 for changes to the Program and under the procedures of Section 501 of the Act for changes to the Federal lands program.
NREPC and OSM will provide each other with copies of any changes to their respective laws, rules, regulations, policy statements, guidelines or standards pertaining to the enforcement and administration of this Agreement.
Each party to this Agreement will notify the other, when necessary, of any changes in personnel, organization and funding, or other changes that may affect the implementation of this Agreement to ensure coordination of responsibilities and facilitate cooperation.
This Agreement will not be construed as waiving or preventing the assertion of any rights in this Agreement that the State or the Secretary may have under laws other than the Act or their regulations, including but not limited to those listed in Appendix A.
Dated: August 18, 1998.
Dated: September 24, 1998.
1. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq., and implementing regulations.
2. The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq., and implementing regulations, including 43 CFR part 3480.
3. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., and implementing regulations, including 40 CFR part 1500.
4. The Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., and implementing regulations, including 50 CFR part 402.
5. The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq., 48 Stat. 401.
6. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 668-668d, and implementing regulations.
7. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 701-718h et seq.
8. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq., and implementing regulations, including 36 CFR part 800.
9. The Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., and implementing regulations.
10. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., and implementing regulations.
11. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq., and implementing regulations.
12. The Reservoir Salvage Act of 1960, amended by the Preservation of Historical and Archaeological Data Act of 1974, 16 U.S.C. 469 et seq.
13. Executive Order 11593 (May 13, 1971), Cultural Resource Inventories on Federal Lands.
14. Executive Order 11988 (May 24, 1977), for flood plain protection.
15. Executive Order 11990 (May 24, 1977), for wetlands protection.
16. The Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands, 30 U.S.C. 351 et seq., and implementing regulations.
17. The Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916, 43 U.S.C. 291 et seq.
18. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, 16 U.S.C. 470aa et seq., as amended.
19. The Constitution of the United States.
20. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.
21. 30 CFR Chapter VII.
22. The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and State Law.