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# OAR Box 

# 1837 Prepped by Keeia Richards



## Document

Number: 

# 187 ) IV-H- 4

Docket Number: 

# A-84-3 3

Printed 11/14/2008 3:48:12 PM

Sheet 187 of 2384225 8 Federa l Registe r / Vol . 52 , No . 21 2 /

Tuesday , Novembe r 3 , 198 7 / Propose d Rule s 

# -V\-* r

DEPARTMEN T O F TH E INTERIO R Offic e o f Surfac e Minin g Reclamatio n an d Enforcemen t 3 0 CF R Part s 701,780,784,815,81 6 an d 81 7 Surfac e Coa l Minin g an d Reclamatio n Operations ; Permanen t Regulator y Program ; Reclamatio n an d Operatio n Plan ; Performanc e Standards ; Road s AGENCY : Offic e o f

Surfac e Minin g Reclamatio n an d Enforcemen tInterior
. ACTION : Propose d rule . SUMMARY

: Th e Offic e o f

Surfac e Minin g Reclamatio n an d Enforcemen t(OSMRE ) o f th e U.S
. Departmen to f th e Interio r (DOI ) propose s t o amen d it s rule s governin g road s a tsurfac e an d undergroun d minin g operation s an d coa l exploratio n operations
. Th e provision s fo r road s ar e bein g propose d t o replac e rule s tha tpreviousl y wer e suspended . Thi s propose d rul e define s a road , establishe s a roa d classificatio n system , an d set s fort h performanc e standard s tha tpermi tregulatory authoritie s t o approv e design s tailore d t o loca l needs . Also , revise d requirement s fo r th e reclamatio n an d operatio n pla n ar e bein g propose d t o reflec tchange s i n th e performanc e standard s fo r roads. - DATES : Writte n comment s .:.--. • ;•-•:- • OSMRE wil l accep twritte n comment s o n th e propose d rul e unti l 5 p.m . Easter n Tim e o n January 12,1988
. Publi c hearing s ---- - Upo n request, OSMR E wil l hol d " \ > - 7 publi c hearing s o n th e propose d rul e i n Washington , DC ; Denver , Colorado ; an d Knoxville , Tennesse e a t9:3 0 a.m . loca l " tim e o n January 5,1988
. Upo n request , - OSMR E als o wil l hol d publi c hearing s i n th e State s o f

Georgia , Idaho , Massachusetts,Michigan,Nort h ---,.-•-.: . Carolina , Oregon , Rhod e Island , Sout h Dakota , an d Washingto n a ttime s an d o n date s t o b e announce d prio r t o th e .. . hearings
. OSMRE wil l accep trequests ^ . fo r publi c hearing s unti l 54) 0 p.m . easter n tim e o n Decembe r 22,1987
. Individual s wishin g t o atten d bu tno t testif y a tan y hearin g shoul d contac tth e perso n identifie d unde r "FO RFURTHE R INFORMATIO N CON

T ACT " beforehan d t o verif y tha tth e hearin g wil l b e held . ADDRESSES : Writte n Comment s Hand-delive r t o th e Offic e o f th e Surfac e Minin g Reclamatio n an d Enforcement , Administrativ e Record , Roo m 5131,110 0 L Stree tNW „ Washington ; DC ; o r mail-t o th e Offic e o f -Surfac e Minin g Reclamatio n an d '" ' • Enforcemen tAdministrativ e Record,'-.
. Roo m 5131-L , U.S
. Departmen to f th e Interior , 195 1 Constitutio n Avenu e NW „ Washington , D C 20240
. Publi c Hearing s Departmen to f

th e Interio r Auditorium , 18t h an d C Stree tNW„
- 7 Washington , DC ; Brook s Towers , 2 d Floo r Conferenc e Room , 102015t h Stree tDenver , Colorado ; an d th e Hyat t House , 50 0 Hil l Avenu e SE. , KnoxvUle , Tennessee . Th e addresse s fo r an y hearin g schedule d i n th e State s o f Georgia , Idaho , Massachusetts , - Michigan , Nort h Carolina , Oregon, ^ .. ' Rhod e Island , Sout h Dakota , o r ~ -'•••
- Washingto n wil l b e announce d prio r t o th e hearing
. Request s fo r Publi c Hearing s '- • Submi torall y o r i n writin g t o di e perso n an d addres s specifie d unde r "FO RFURTHE

RINFORMATIO

N CONTACT* ' b y th e tim e specifie d unde r "DATES. " FORFURTHE

RINFORMATIO

N CONTACT : Rober tA
. Wiles , P.E. , Offic e o f Surfac e Minin g Reclamatio n an d Enforcemen t* U.S
. Departmen to f

th e Interior , 195 1 Constitutio n Avenu e NW „ Washington , D C 20240 ; Telephone : 202-343-1502
. SUPPLEMENTAR

Y INFORMATION

: 1
. Publi c Commen

tProcedures

. . II. Backgroun

d , '.'-.-. 'HI
. Discussio n o f

Propose d Rule "

' "'"•.*

- VI. Procedura

l Matter s

r L Publi c Commen tProcedure s - Written comments Writte n comment s submitte d o n th e

. propose d rul e shoul d b e specifi c shoul d : b e confine d t o issue s pertinen tt o th e propose d rule , an d shoul d explai n th e reaso n fo r an y recommended change . 1 Wher e practicable , commenter s should ' submi tfiv e copie s o f

thei r comment s (se e "ADDRESSES")
. Comment s received

- - afte r th e olos e o f

th e commen tperio d o r

. delivere d t o addresse s othe r tha n thos e liste d abov e (se e "DATES" ) ma y no tb e ' considere d o r include d i n th e

- . Administrativ e Recor d fo r th e final rule . Public hearings OSMR E wil l hol d publi c hearing s o n th e propose d rul e o n requestonly . Th e ' 'time , dates , an d addresse s schedule d fo r di e hearing s a tthre e location s ar e specifie d previousl y i n thi s notic e (se e "DATES " an d "ADDRESSES")
. Th e time , dates , an d addresse s fo r th e hearing s a t th e remainin g location s hav e no tye t bee n scheduled , bu twil l b e announce d i n th e Federa l Registe r a tleastway s prio r t o an y hearing s heldatJ&es e locations
. 'Vrti^
- , An y perso n intereste d i n participatin g a ta hearin g a ta particula r locatio n shoul d infor m Mr . Wile s (se e "FO R FURTHE

RINFORMATIO

N CONTACT" ) eithe r orall y o r i n writin g o f

th e desired._.
. hearin g location s b y 5:0 0 p.m . Easter n Tim e o n Decembe r 15,1987
. I f n o on e ha s contacte d Mr . Wile s t o expres s a n interes ti n participatin g i n a hearin g a ta give n locatio n b y tiiatdate , di e hearin g wil l no tb e held . I

f onl y on e perso n expresse s a n interes ta publi c meetin g rathe r tha n a hearin g ma y b e hel d an d th e results include d i n th e Administrativ e Record . I f a hearin g i s held , i twil l continu e unti l al l person s wishin g t o testif y hav e bee n heard . T o assis tth e transcribe r -an d ensur e a n accurat e record , OSMR E request s tha tperson s wh o testif y a ta hearin g giv e th e transcribe r a writte n cop y o f thei r testimony
. T o assis t OSMR E i n preparin g appropriat e question s fo r clarificatio n o f issues , OSMR E als o requests tha tperson s wh o pla n t o testif

y submi tt o OSMRE a tth e addres s previousl y specifie d fo r th e submissio n o f

writte n comment s (se e "ADDRESSES" ) a n advanc e cop y o f thei r testimony
. n . Backgroun d Environmenta l protectio n performanc e standard s governin g roads use d fo r acces s int o a n acros s th e min e sit e durin g surfac e coa l minin g an d reclamatio n operation s ar e se tfort h i n section s 515(b)(17 ) an d (18 ) o f th e Surfac e Minin g Contro l an d Reclamatio n Ac to f 197 7 (th e Act) , 3 0 U.S.C
. 1265(b)(17 ) an d (18)
. Sectio n 516(b)(10 ) -o f th e Ac timpose s thes e sam e requirements o n undergroun d mine s wit h suc h modification s a s ar e necessar y t o accommodat e th e distinc t difference s betwee n surfac e an d undergroun d mining
. Th e permanen tregulator y progra m promulgate d o n Marc h 13,1979 , containe d provisioin s pertainin g t o road -construction , maintenanc e an d postminin g conditions
. Th e rul e a t3 0 CF R701. 5 define d roads fo r surfac e minin g operation s an d establishe d a 3
- tie r road classificatio n syste m (4 4 F R
' 15320 , (1979))
. Specifi c provision s fo r eac h classificatio n wer e establishe d a t 3 0 CF R816.15 0 throug h 3 0 CF R818.17 8 (4 4 F R15416-1542 1 (1979))
. A tth e sam e time , simila r requirement s fo r undergroun d mine s wer e establishe d a t 3 0 CF R817.15 0 throug h 817.17 6 (4 4 F R 15442-15447(1979))
. Th e permanen tprogra m rule s wer e

- challenge d i n a sui tfile d befor e th e U.S
. Distric tCour tfo r th e Distric to f Columbia
. A s a resultth e cour t remande d th e rule s t o OSMR E fo r 

### tfW*ff** f

.

# \P. 4

Federa l Registe r /

* 1/tA. 42, No . 21 2 /

Tuesday,"November^
. ^98 7 / Propose d Rule s 4225 9
furthe r consideratio n becaus e di e Secretar y had notgive n adequat

e notic e diatli e wa s considerin g a classificatio n system. Jn re: Permanent Surface -,-.- - - Mining Regulation Litigation, No. 7B
- < • 1144, sli p op . a t32-3 8 (DJJ.C
. Ma y 16 , 1980)
. A s a resul to f

th e cour tdecision , OSMR E suspende d it s permanent progra m rule s for road s {45 F

R5154 7 (1980))
. Th e permanen

tprogra m rul e suspende d i n 198

0 wa s followe d b y a ne w rule published Ma

y 16,198 3 (4 8 F

R 22110) , whic

h gav e regulator

y authoritie s greate r flexibility a s t o th e detail s o f road design
. Upon issuance , th e revised permanen

tprogra m rule for roads wa s onc e agai n challenge d i n th e U.S
. Distric

tCour tfo r th e Districtof

. Columbia
. I

n response t o th e challenge , th e cour tremanded sectio n 816.150(a ) t o OSMRE
. In re: Permanent Surface Mining Regulation Litigation II{Round II), No . 79-1144 , sli p op . a t24-2 8 (D.D.C
. Oct
. 1.1984)
. Th e cour

thel d tha t OSMRE , i n promulgatin

g the classificatio n syste m i n 3 0 CFR 816.150(a) , violate d th e Administrativ e Procedur e Ac t(APA) , 5 U.S.C
. 553
. b y J . no tproviding adequate notic e an d opportunit

y t o commen tSli p op . a t28
. Subsequently , i n a n amende d order file d Decembe r 10,1984 , th e cour t remande d al l of th e rule s governin g roads which wer e dependentupon tiie road classificatio n system , OSMR E then suspende d thos e rule s a s wel l a s tiie definitio n of

road at { 701.5 (5 0 F

R7278 (1985))
. Th e definitio n wa s suspende d t o giv e OSMR

E a n opportunit

y t o reconsider al l di e provision s i n th e rule s effectin g th e performanc

e standard s for roads. Thi s propose d rul e woul d replac e th e suspende d rules . I

n man y case s OSMR

E

. believes , base d o n a reconsideratio n o f th e issue s involved , tiie legislativ e history of th e Ac tand tiie administrativ e record o

f thes e rules , tha t th e languag e promulgate

d i n 1983 i s th e mos teffectiv e mean s o f

meetin g th e requirement

s of th e Ac tFo

r thes e oases , identifie d below , OSMR

E i s proposin g . repromulgatin

g th e provision s o f

th e - 198 3 rule . OSMR

E i s intereste d i n receivin g comment

s o n thes e provisions , a s wel l a s tiie ne w provision s propose d below . Sectio n 516(b)(10) o f

th e Ac trequire s OSMR E t o conside r th e difference s - betwee n surface and undergroun d minin g whe n promulgatin

g rule s ' governing th e surfac e impacts o f • undergroun

d mining
. OSMR

E ha s no t identifie d an y difference s betwee n roads for surface and undergroun d • -. . mine s tha tnecessitat e differen t provisions
. Therefore , th e propose d -.-• > - provision s fo r surfac e rnining {Par t£16 } - and for undergroun d minin g Par t817

) ar e identica l Excep tfo r Ui

e sectio n headin g designation , in-which iwt h surface an d underground rule s ar e cited , th e followin g discussio n reference s ord y th e surface roles. Comment s ar e = -requested o n an y difference s OSMR E ma y hav e overlooked . ... . Th e propose d rule define s tiie ter m road and addresse s th e design , construction , us e and maintenanc e o t roads use d i n surfac e coal minin g operation s and i n coal exploratio n operations
. The preambl e fo r th e 1983 rule s (4 8 F

R22110-2212 1 (1983) ) shoul d b e consulte d for additional information o n th e provision s diatar

e bein g reproposed . Revision s als o are propose d i n th e permi tapplicatio n .requirement s fo r roads a tsurfac e an d undergroun d mining operation s t o reflec tth e change s propose d i n th e performanc e standards . Th e revision s propose d fo r surfac e minin g (Par t780 ) an d fo r undergroun

d minin g (Par t784 ) ar e identica l Excep t fo r th e sectio n headin g designation , i n whic h bot

h surface and undergroun d rule s are-cited , th e followin g discussio n references onl y th e surfac e rules . Comment s ar e requeste d o n an y difference s OSMR

E may hav e overlooked . m . Discussio n o f

Propose d Rul e A. Section 70L5 Definitions: Road Th e propose d definitio n oi road la simila r t o th e 1983 rule , buti s revise d t o describ e mor

e specificall y wfaatportion s of th e affecte d are a woul d b e subjec tt o th e performanc

e standard s fo r roads . Th e propose d rul e woul d defin e road to mea n a surfac e right-of-way lo r purpose s o f

travel b y lan d vehicles , includin g mining equipmen tuse d i n surface coa l minin g an d reclamation operation s o r coa l exploration
. Th e term road woul d encompas s th e entir e are a and structure s withi n a surface right-of-
. wa y tha ti s constructed , used , reconstructed improved o r maintaine d - fo r us e i n surfac e coa l minin g an d reclamatio n operation s o

r coa l . — • exploration , includin g us e b y coa l - - hauling vehicle s leadin g t o transfer, processin g o r storag e areas . Th e ter m woul d specificall y exclud e pionee r roads, temporar

y route s use d far - constructin g acces s o r hau l roads, ramp s and routes o f

travel -witiii

n di e immediat e mining are a {discusse d - *•••••-• below ) and withi n exces s spoi l or coa l mine wast e disposa l areas . Fo r additional informatio n o n th e definition ' oi road see th e preambl e for th e fina l • rul e publishe d May 16,198 3 (4 8 F R2211 0 etseq.). • * • • :••••' •• - Pionee r roads wer e exclude d fro m th e definitio n of

road s i n th e 197

9 rule and
' in th e 198

3 rule . The Secretary' s exclusio n of

pionee r roads fro

m th e definitio n o f

a road i n 198

3 wa s challenge d o n th e basi s tha tpionee r road s ar e constructe d t

o gai n acces s t

o minin g operations
. OSMR

E ha s reviewe d th e issu e and believe s tha t pionee r roads provide preliminar y acces s fo r th e constructio n o f permanen

t acces s an d hau l roads o r equipmen

t roads and notfo

r minin g purposes . Once a pionee r road fulfill s it s limited purpose , i ti s eithe r replace d by a primar y o r ancillar

y roa d o r reclaimed. However , pionee r roads o r constructio n road s ar e "surfac e coa l minin

g operations " subjectt o th e othe r performanc

e standard s o

f th e regulations
. The propose d road definitio n woul d als o b e revise d by changing th e 198 3 rul e languag e "immediat

e mining-pi

t area " t o "immediat

e minin g area. " Th e word "pit " refer s t

o th e area wher e coal i s bein g removed fro

m th e seam . OSMR E believe s tha

tther e ar e othe r area s i n th e vicinit

y o f the pi ttha t shoul d notb e subjectt

o th e performanc

e standard s fo

r road s becaus e the

y ar e subjectt o frequen tsurface changes . Thes e includ e area s where topsoi l an d overburde

n are being move d an

d area s undergoin g activ e reclamation
. OSMR E intend s th e ter

m "immediat

e minin g area " t o refer t

o suc h area s of frequen t surfac e change . Many area s i n a minin

g operatio n contai n routes o

f trave l tha tar e moved every fe w day s a s the minin g advance s durin g coal removal and a s th

e operato r work s i n coa l wast e disposa l an d spoi l areas . Thes e route s hav e a shor tlif e an d woul d no tb e include d i n th e definitio n o f road o r subjectt

o th e road performanc

e standards , bu

twoul d b e subjectt o th e othe r performance standard s of

th e regulations tha

tapply t o al l surface coal minin g operations
. Temporar y route s withi n spoi l o

r coal mine wast e disposa l area s woul d b e exclude d fro

m the definitio n o

f roa d accordin g t

o a n agreemen

tby the Secretar y i n RoundII

(sli p op . a t footnote 14)
. The industr

y plantiff s ha d contende d and OSMR

E agree d tha

ti t wa s no treasonabl e t

o require roads withi n coa l spoi l an d refus e disposa l area s t o b e surface d wit

h nonacid
- o r nontoxic-fbrming substances , sinc e thes e area s often contai n acid
- and toxic-forming materials
. I n additio a al l o f th e surfao e drainage from thes e area s i s controlle d b y silta tion structure s and treatmen tfacilities , wher e necessary , t o mitigat e an y potential advers e environmenta

l affects effectively
.P. 5

4226 0 Federa l Registe r / Vol . 52 , No . 21 2 /

fuesday , Novembe r

3 , 198 7 /"Propose d Rule s



# I

.•«.•

.

• * ' Finally , th e phras e "withi n th e

affecte darea, " whic h appeare d i n th e 198 3 rule.woul d b e delete dfro mth e propose d definitio n becaus e el l road activitie s ar e i n th e permitte d are aan d thus th e phrase,i s superfluous

. B. Sections 780.37/78424 Road Systems. Propose d§780.3 7 contain s ne w permi t applicatio n requirements whic h woul dspecif

y th e plan s an ddrawing s a n operato r

i s require dt o submi t

o n eac h roadwithi n th e propose dpermi t

. area
. Th e sectio n als o discusse s certificatio n o

f primary road s an dth e establishmen t

o f standar ddesig n plan s b y th e regulatory euthority

. Thi s sectio n ha s no t

bee n revised sinc e 197 9 an d th e propose drevision - _ woul dprovid e consistenc y wit h th e performanc e standard s of 3 0 CF R Chapte r 7 , Subchapte r

K , promulgate d i n 1983

. The y woul dappl y t o al l roads , a s define d b y § 701.5 , use d for surfac e coa l minin g an d reclamation operations

. Sinc e th e provision s propose d i n § 780.3 7 woul dappl y onl y t o roads, - OSMR E i s proposin g t o mov e th e provision s i n tiie existin g rul e tha t appl y t o conveyor s an drai l system s t o e ne w § 780.3 8 discusse d below

. T o reflec t thi s change , OSMR

E i s proposin g t o chang e th e titl e o f § 780.3 7 fro

m"Transportatio n •facilities " t o "Roa dsystems. " Sections 780.37

(a)/784J24(a) Plans and drawings:

. Propose d § 780.37(a

) woul drequire - tha t th e permi t

applicatio n includ e plan s an ddrawing s fo

r eac h roadt o b e -constructed , use do r

maintaine dwithi n th e propose dpermi t

area
. OSMR

E believe s th e informatio n i n th e plan s an ddrawing s woul denabl e th e regulatory authorit y t o asses s th e impact s resultin g fro

man y road tha t woul d b e constructe do r

use d a s par t

o f th e surfac e minin g operatio n an d determin e whethe r

th e operatio n an d reclamatio n pla n woul db e effectiv e i n ~ mitigatin g a s muc h of

th e cumulativ e impact s o n th e environmen t a s possible , consisten t

with th e purpos e o f

th e Ac t Propose dparagrap h (a)(1) , whic h i s di e sam e a s th e 197 9 rule , requires th e - applican t t o submi t

amap , and , a s appropriate , cros s sections , desig n : drawing s an dspecification s fo r road widths , gradients , surfacin g materials , cuts , fill embankments , culverts , bridges , drainag e ditches , low-wate r crossings , an ddrainag e structures

. OSMR E expect s tha t

th e amoun t

of detai l submitte db y th e applican t unde r thi s paragrap h woul d b e appropriat e t o th e classificatio n of

th e roadan dt o th e exten t of th e projecte dimpac t

fro mth e " ' specifi c feature

. Fo r

example , for

a n ancillar y road, les s detai l woul db e ' -require d tha n for

aprimar y road, "wher

e th e drawing s an dspecification s woul d - b e quit e extensive

. Se e $ 816.150(a ) fo r th e propose ddefinition s of ancillary road an d primary road. Section s 780.37(a)(2) , (a)(3) , (a)(5 ) an d (a)(6 ) ar e ne w an dwoul d require permi t applicant s t o submi t

additiona l desig n informatio n o n eac h road. Propose d paragrap h (a)(2 ) woul d require drawing s en dspecification s of

eac h propose d road tha t woul d b e locate d i n th e channe l o f a n intermitten t

o r perennia l strea mto " giv e th e regulator y authorit y th e informatio n necessar y t o approv e th e road, a s requiredb y th e performanc e standar d i n propose d§ 816.150(d)(1)

. '

- Propose dparagrap h (a)(3 ) woul d

. •requir e tha t th e drawing s an d ' ; ' ; specification s for

eac h propose dstrea m for dtha t woul db e use da s atemporar y route provid e th e regulator y authorit y wit h sufficient

informatio n t o revie w th e strea mfor

d an d decid e whethe r

t o approv e i t

a s required b y th e performanc e standar d i n propose d S 816.151(c)(2)

. Propose dparagrap h (a)(4 ) woul d- reinstat e th e languag e o

f § 780.37(c ) o

f - di e permi t

requirements a s adopte d i n 1979

. Thi s paragrap h woul d require a descriptio n of

measure s tha t

th e : • applican t woul dtak e t o obtai n th e - - ' approva l o

f th e regulatory authorit y fo r - alteratio n o r

relocation of

e natura l drainageway , a s requiredb y th e performanc e standar di n propose d ; 8 816:151(d)(5)

. ' - . Propose d paragrap h (a)(5 ) woul d require'drawings an d specification s fo r eac h low-wate r

crossing , t o enabl e th e regulator y authorit y t o maximiz e th e protectio n o

f th e strea mi n accordanc e wit h th e performanc e standar di n propose d8 818.151(d)(6)

. A low-wate r crossin g resembles abridg e i n tha t wate r flow s unde r

th e structur e a t norma l strea mlevel , bu t

hig h wate r

goe s ove r th e structur e an d make s i t impassabl e durin g stormo r floodevents

. Se e th e followin g preambl e discussio n for $ 8161151(d)(8) fo

r additiona l informatio n o n low-wate r crossings

. Propose dparagrap h (a)(6 ) woul d- - requir e informatio n o n th e applicant' s plan s t o Remov

e an dreclaimeac h road, an dth e schedul e t o b e followe d fo r road reclamation , t o ensur e consistenc y wit h tiie performanc e standards

. Thi s - informatio n woul d no t

b e required fo

r a roa d that , i s propose d t o b e retained for us e unde r a n approve dpostminin g lan d use
. Tw o provision s previousl y i n th e rul e a t S 780.37(a

) ar e no t bein g propose d fo

r repromulgation. Thes e permittin g provision s wer e promulgate d i n 1979 ; however , th e correspondin g performanc e standard s wer e remove d from3 0 CF

RPar t 81 6 i n 1983

. On e provisio n i s th e requirement fo r areport o f appropriat e geotechnica l analysi s fo r alternativ e specification s fo r cut s o n stee p slopes

. Th e othe r

i s th e requirement

fo r adescriptio n o

f measure s t o b e take n t o protec t th e inle t en d o f aditc h relief

culvert i f aroc k headwal l i s no t

used

. Thes e provision s ar e no t bein g reproposedbecaus e ther e ar e n o equivalen t

performanc e standards

. Sections 780\37(b)/7B4.24(b) Primary road certification. -OSMR E i s proposin g t o mov e th e provisio n o n desig n certificatio n fo r primar y roads fromth e performanc e standard s a t

8 816.151(a) , wher e the y wer e i n tiie 198 3 rule , t o th e permi t requirements a t

8 780.37(b) , sinc e desig n certificatio n i s not , strictl y speaking , a performanc e standard , bu t a requirement

o f th e permi t

approva l process
. Th e propose d provisio n woul d require tha t

th e plan s an d drawing s fo r eac h primary road b e prepare d b y o r unde r th e directio n o

f aqualifie d registered professiona l enginee r experience di n th e desig n an d construction o

f roads

. I t woul d als o require tha t

th e enginee r

certif y tha t th e desig n meet s th e performanc e standard s of 3 0 CF RChapte r VII , curren t

pruden t engineerin g practices , an d an y desig n criteri aestablishe db y th e regulatory authority

. The

. phras e "current , pruden t engineerin g practices " include s thos e practice s well-establishe d b y engineerin g principle s an dwidel y recognized b y expert s wit h experienc e i n th e subjec t Th e propose drul e als o woul dallo w desig n an d certificatio n b y aqualifie d registere dprofessiona l lan d surveyo r experience d i n th e desig n an d construction of

roads i n an y Stat e whic h authorize s lan d surveyor s t o certif y th e desig n o f primary roads. Thi s provisio n i s base do n th e Novembe r 4,1983 , amendmen t

t o th e Ac t

whic h authorize s lan dsurveyor s t o prepar e an d certif y cros s sections , map s an d plan s (Sec

. 115 , Pub

. L

. 98-146,9 7 Stat

. 93 8 (1983))

. Th e amendmen t

provide s tha t

"(n)o t withstandin g sectio n 507(b](14 ) o f th e Surfac e Minin g an dReclamatio n Ac t o f 197 7 (Pub

. L

. 95-87) , cros s sections , map s o r plan s o f lan d t o b e affecte d b y a n applicatio n for

surfac e minin g an d reclamatio n permi t

shal l b e prepare d b y o r und " th e directio n o

f aqualifie d regis ; dprofessiona l enginee r o r geologist , o r

qualifie dregistered professiona l lan d surveyo r i n an y Stat e whic h authorize s lan d surveyor s t o prepar e -*n

d certif y suc h map s o r

plans. " 

# i *P. 6

Federa l Registe r /

Vol

. 52 , No

. 21 2 /

Tuesday , Novembe r

3 , 198 7 /

Propose d Rule s 422C J
Befor e alan d surveyo r

coul d certif

y th e desig n of aprimar y roa dunde r

thi s rule , Stat e la w als o woul dhav e t o gran t correspondin g autiiority

. Sections 780.37(c)/784.24(c) Standard design plans.

, Propose d8 780.37(c ) i s ane w sectio n tha t woul dallo w th e regulatory authorit y t o establis h engineerin g desig n standard s for

primar y roads throug h th e Stat e programapprova l process , i n lie u o f th e engineerin g test s tiiat otherwis e woul db e performe d t o establis h

. complianc e with th e minimumstati c safet y facto r

of 1. 3 fo r al l primar y road embankments

. Suitabl e engineerin g desig n standard s woul db e thos e tha t ar e accepte d i n th e engineerin g communit y a s th e basi s fo r

constructin g stabl e roads, an d ar e know n t o assur e prope r performanc e throug h testin g an d pas t practice

. OSMR

E believe s tha t

thi s provisio n woul d enabl e th e regulatory authorit y an d th e operato r t o sav e time an deffor t durin g th e desig n an dreview o f roadplans , an d als o woul d ensur e protectio n of

th e environmen t

throug h th e applicatio n o f

standard s tha t

hav e prove n effectiv e fo r

th e condition s prevalen t i n eac h State

. " C. Sections 780.38/784,30 Support facilities. t

Previously , 5 780.3 7 generall y require d tha t eac h permi t

applicatio n contai n a detaile d descriptio n o f

eac h road , conveyo r o r rai l syste mt o b e constructed , use d o r

maintaine dwithi n th e permi t area
. Som e o f

th e requirements i n th e sectio n applie d onl y t o roads; other s applie dt o roads a s wel l a s t o conveyor s an drai l systems

. A s discusse dpreviously , thi s propose drul e woul dlimi t

8 780.3 7 exclusivel y t o requirements fo r

roads

. Th e \• requirement s fo r

conveyor s an d rai l system s woul db e move d t o propose d 8 780.3 8 for

clarity

. I n addition , th e coverag e o f

ne w 8 780.3 8 woul d b e expande dt o includ e no t

onl y conveyor s an drai l systems , bu t

als o othe r

„ transportatio n facilitie s an dsuppor t facilitie s i n general

. Thi s rul e als o woul d expan dne w : 6 780.3 8 t o cove r

suppor t facilitie s i n general

. Althoug h existin g 3 0 CF RPar t 78 0 contain s anumbe r

o f requirement s applicabl e t o suppor t

facilities , th e existin g rule s d o no t

contai n agenera l requiremen t

tha t apermi t applicatio n includ e plan s an ddrawing s fo r suppor t facilitie s tha t

woul db e sufficient

t o demonstrat e complianc e wit h 6 818.181

. T o remedy thi s deficiency , propose d 8 780.3 8 woul dappl y t o al l suppor t facilitie s i n additio n t o th e conveyors ; an drai l system s covere d b y previou s 8780.37 , .'.-•- , Propose d8 780.3 8 woul d includ e th e specifi c permi t

applicatio n requirements fo r al l support

facilitie s covere db y 8 816.18 1 o f

th e performanc e standards

. A permi t applicatio n woul dhav e t o contai n adescription , plan s an d drawing s showin g th e detail s o f eac h facility

. Th e plan s en d drawing s woul d includ e amap , appropriat e cros s sections , desig n drawings , an d specification s sufficient

t o demonsb-at e complianc e with 8 818.181

. Othe r mor e genera l permi t

applicatio n requirement s applicabl e t o suppor t

facilitie s elsewher e a t

3 0 CF R780.14(b)(1 ) woul d remai n unchanged

. D. Section 815.15(b) Road standards forcoal exploration. Propose d8 615.15(b ) woul d requir e al l road s o r othe r transportatio n facilitie s use d for coa l exploratio n t o compl y with th e applicabl e provision s o f 3 0 CF R 816.150.816.18 0 an d 816.181

. Th e change s fromth e 198 3 rul e ar e explaine d below

. Sectio n 815.15(b) , a s publishe d o n Septembe r

8,198 3 (4 8 F

R40836) , require d al l roads o r

othe r transportatio n facilitie s use dfo r coa l • exploratio n t o compl y wit h th e applicabl e provision s o f

3 0 CF R816.15 0 (roads—general) , 816.15 1 (primary roads) , 816.18 0 (utility installations) , an d 616.18 1 (suppor t

facilities)

. Thus , th e performanc e standard s i n th e existin g
. rul e for 8 8 81&15 0 an d816.151 , a s discusse dbelow , for

th e use , . - - construction , reconstruction , maintenanc e an dreclamation o f road s use d fo r surfac e coa l minin g activitie s applie d t o road s use d fo r

coa l

. exploration , OSMR

E propose s tha t becaus e th e amoun t

o f coa l o r spoi l transporte d durin g coa l exploratio n operation s i s small , i t

i s no t necessar y fo r roads use d for

coa l exploratio n t o mee t th e standard s o f

8 816.15 1 fo r primar y roads

. OSMR

E believe s tha t 8 816.15 0 provide s sufficient protectio n for th e environmen t

durin g coa l exploration , an dthus , i s proposin g t o delet e from8 815.15(b ) th e referenc e t o 8 8 816.150(a

) an d818.151

. Unde r sectio n 512(a

) o f th e Ac t 3 0 CF R815.1 5 applie s onl y t o "coa l exploratio n activitie s whic h

. substantiall y distur b tb e natura l lan d surface. " Thus , aroad mus t compl y wit h th e applicabl e provision s o f 3 0 CF R 816.15 0 onl y t o th e exten t tha t th e coa l exploratio n activitie s substantiall y disturb th e lan d wher e th e roadi s located

. OSMR

E ha s define dth e term "substantiall y disturb " i n 3 0 CF R701.5

. OSMR E believe s tha t

routine maintenanc e of

a n existin g road use d for coa l exploratio n i s no t

asubstantia l disturbanc e requiring th e road t o b e reclaime di n accordanc e with th e performanc e standard s o f sectio n 51 5 o f th e Ac t T o us e a n existin g roa d tha t i s i n poo r conditio n du e t o lac k

of maintenance , acoa l exploratio n operato r ma y nee d t o blad e th e roa d surface , replace som e culvert s o r d o othe r mino r routin e maintenance

. Suc h routine maintenanc e o

f an existin g roa d woul d no t b e considere d substantia l disturbanc e of

th e natura l lan d surfac e tha t woul d requir e reclamation of th e road. E. Sections 818.150/817.150 Roads: General. Propose d 8 816.15 0 woul d appl y t o al l road s a s define d b y 3 0 CF R701.5

. I t woul d includ e aroad classificatio n system , performanc e standards , desig n an d constructio n limits , provisio n fo r desig n criteri aan d provision s o n roa d location , maintenanc e an d reclamation

. Th e propose d rul e i s similar t o th e 198 3 rule , an d th e preambl e fo

r tha t rul e (4 8 F R22110-2212 1 (1983) ) provide s additiona l informatio n o n it s provisions

. Sections 818.150(a)/817.150(a) Road classification system. Propose d 8 816.150(a

) woul d classif

y al l min e roads a s eithe r

primar y o r ancillary

. Th e classificatio n i s identica l t o tha t i n th e rul e tha t

wa s remande d b y th e Distric t

Cour t i n RoundII

(slip op
. a t 28)

. an dsuspende d b y OSMR E o n Februar y 21 * 198 5 (5 0 F

R7276)

. OSMR

E believe s tha t

atwo-tiere dsyste mi s neede d s o tha t

roads ca n b e regulate d base do n thei r

potentia l for

causin g environmenta l damage

. OSMR E i s especiall y intereste d i n receiving comment s o n whethe r

i t i s reasonable t o mak e thi s distinction , a s wel l a s o n wha t specifi c requirements tha t appl y t o primar y roads woul dno t

nee d t o b e applie d t o ancillar y roads. Primary an d ancillar y road s ar e distinguishe d i n th e rul e o n th e basi s of purpos e an d frequency o f use
. Primary roads woul d b e thos e use d for transportin g coa l o r

spoil ; frequently use d fo r acces s o r for othe r purpose s fo

r period s i n exces s o f

si x months ; o r

t o b e retaine d a s par t

o f th e approve d postminin g lan d use
. Vehicle s usin g primar y roads woul d frequently b e larg e an dcarr y heav y loads

. Primary road s hav e th e greates t

potentia l fo r

advers e environmenta l impacts

. Road s use dt o transpor t

coa l o r spoil , regardles s of

th e frequency o r

lengt h of use , an dan y othe r

road whic h i s frequently use d for

aperio d i n exces s o f si x month s woul d b e considere d primar y roads. Thi s si x mont

h perio d Bet

s a reasonable limi t

betwee n short

- an d long-ter musage
.P. 7

422B 2 Fedaia l Registe r /-Vo l &2 , No . 21 2 /

Tuesday , Novembe r 8
. 198 7 / Propose d Rule s

i»V *



### fl Ancillar

y road s woul d b e a

D road s notdesignate d a s primary
. Vehicle s usin g such roads ar e likel y to b e smal l and woul d generall y no tb e use d fo r . . carryin g heavy loads . OSMR

E ha s no t identified specifi c type s of road s i n th e rule a s ancillar

y becaus e i twoul d no tb e possibl e t o mak e a n all-inclusiv e lis t Example s o

f ancillar y roads are thos e whic h provid e acceB S t o location s fo r hydrologi c sampling , equipmen t maintenance , monitoring o r othe r similar uses . Additiona l discussio n of

the-basi s fo r th e distinctio n betwee n primar y an d ancillar y roads ca n b e found i n th e preamble t o th e 198

3 rule , a t4 8 F

R 22118
. Sections 816.l50(b)/817.tSO(b) Performance Standards. Propose d 8 816.150(b ) woul d establis h performanc

e standard s thatoperators mustmeetwhe n locating , designing , constructing , reconstructing , using , maintaining and reclaiming road s associate d wit

h surfac e coa l mining operation s a s define d b y 3 0 CF R701.5
. Th e propose d performanc e standar d i n paragrap h (b)(1 ) woul d requir

e vegetatin g o r otherwis e stabilizin g el l expose d surface s i n accordanc e wit h curren tprudentengineerin g practice s t o contro l o r preven terosion , siltatkm , an d th e ai r pollutio n attendan tt o erosion
. Th e propose d standard s i n paragraphs (b)(2 ) throug

h (b)(7 ) woul d require a n operato r t o control or preventdamag e t o fish, wildlif

e o r their habitatan d relate d environmenta

l values ; contro l o r prevent additional contribution s o f suspende d solid s t o strea

m flow o r runof

f outsid e th e permi tarea ; neithe r caus e no r contribute , directl y o r indirectly , t o di e violatio n of

Stat e o r Federal wate r qualit y standard s applicabl e t o receivin g waters ; refrain fro m seriousl y alterin g th e norma

l flo w o f wate r i n streambed s o r drainag e channels ; preven to r control damag e t o publi c o r privat e property ; an d prohibitdi e us e o f acidi c o r toxi c substance s i n roa d surfacing
. ••

• ' Th e proposal i s identical t o tiie 168 3 rule excep tfo r th e followin g changes : (1 ) Th e provisio n i n paragrap h (b)(1 ) o n controllin g ai r pollutio n attendan tt o erosio n woul d specif

y tiiatmeasure s suc h a s watering , o r chemica l o r othe r dus tsuppressants b e considere d to contro l road dus tcause d b y win d o r movemento f

equipmen tT o a certai n . degree , 8 816450(b)(1 ) woul d duplicate 3 0 CF R816.95
. whic h applie s to al l . surfac e coa l minin

g activitie s an d . - require s tiiatal l expose d surface area s b e protecte d an d stabilize d to .. . effectivel y contro l ai r pollutio n • attendantt o erosion
. . . .I n respons e to concern s raise d b y th e -Environmenta

l Protectio n Agency
. OSMR E wishe s to clarif

y dia tai r -pollution attendan tto erosio n includes , among othe r tilings, road dus ta s wel l a s dus toccurrin

g o n othe r expose d surfaces
. OSMRE' s performanc e standard s require surface stabilizatio n measure s to contro l th e occurrence o f such dus tT o ensur e ma toperators inten d to implementsuc h measures , OSMRE' s permitting rule s a t3 0 CF R 780.1 5 and 784.2

6 requir e eac h permi

t applicatio n t o includ e a plan enumerating th e surface stabilizatio n measure s th e operato r wil l employ t o control dust . A s with a

D portion s o

f di e permi tapplication , th e dus tcontrol pla n i s subjectt o publi c scrutin y an d commen tand . if

inadequate , t o revision
. (2 ) Requirement

s formerl y i n { 815J50(b)(5 ) t o minimiz e th e diminution t

o o r degradatio n o f

th e . qualit y o r quantit

y o f surface-an d ground-water system s woul d no tb e include d i n th e propose d rule becaus e propose d paragraphs (b)(3) , (b)(4 ) an d (b)(5) , a s wel l a s existin g provision s i n 6 8 816.4 1 throug

h 816.45 woul d protect th e qualit y an d quantit

y o f wate r system s adequately . (3 ) I n propose d paragraph (b)(5) , whic h specifie s dia troad s mus trefrain from seriousl y altering th e norma l flo w o f wate r i n strea

m bed s o r drainage channels , tiie ter

m "significantly " from paragraph (b)(6) o f

th e 198 3 rul e woul d b e change d t o "seriously " t o reflec tth e wordin g of

di e Ac t

. (4) I n propose d 5 816.150(bM8) , whic h generall y requires minin

g road s t o b e located , designed , constructed , reconstructed , used , maintaine d an d reclaime d to preven to r contro l damag e t o publi c o r private property , OSMR E i a proposin g t

o specif y certai n publi c propertie s for whic h specia l consideratio n i s warranted . Thi s provisio n i s base d o n Sec , 515(b)(l7 ) o f th e Act
. _ Th e proposal woul d requir e tiie preventio n o r mitigatio n of advers e effect s fro m road s t o land s withi n th e boundarie s o f

th e unit s o

f di e National Par k System , th e National Wildlif e Refug e System , di e National Syste m o f Trails , th e Nationa l Wildernes s Preservatio n System , di e Wil d an d Sceni c Rivers System , includin g designate d stud y rivers, an d National Recreatio n Area s designate d b y Acta o f Congress
. Thes e area s ar e th e sam e - area s covere d b y th e minin g -prohibition s o f

sectio n 522(e)(1 ) o f

th e Ac tHowever , di e propose d performanc

e standard woul d no tb e subjec tto th e exemptio n i n sectio n 522(e) for "vali d existin g rights". . becaus e thi s i s a performanc e standard o n permitte d activitie s rather tiian a

prohibitio n agains tpermitting such activities
. Th e rule woul d als o appl y t o mining road s outsid e th e boundarie s o f sectio n 522(e)(1 ) areas . (5) Th e reference t

o the 1. 3 safet y facto r for al l embankment s in paragrap

h (b)(9 ) of th e 198 3 rule woul d b e move d from 8 816.15 0 t o 8 818.15 1 8 0 tha ti t woul d apply only t o primar y roads . OSMR E believe s thatth e safet

y facto r requiremen

ti s more appropriat

e for th e larger embankment

s o n primar

y road s thathav e th e potential fo r greate r advers e environmenta

l impacts
. OSMR

E doe s no tbeliev e tha

tthi s requiremen

ti s necessar y for ancillar

y roads , whic

h hav e littl e potential fo

r causin g advers e environmenta

l impacts
. OSMR

E i s especiall y intereste d i n receivin g comment s o n th e necessity of

imposin g thi s facto r o n ancillar

y roads . Sections 816.150(c)/817.150(c) Design and construction limits and establishment

of design criteria. Propose d paragrap

h (c ) woul d require tha troads b e designe d and constructe d o r reconstructed t

o mee tcertai n criteria i n orde r t o ensure environmenta l protectio n appropriat

e for thei r planne d duratio n an d use . Thes e criteria includ e limit s fo r grade , width , surface materials , surface drainage control , culver tplacemen tand culver

tsize , tiiat woul d b e i n accordanc e with curren t pruden tengineerin g practices , an d an y othe r necessar y desig n criteri a establishe d b y di e regulator y autiiority
. [Se e 198 3 preambl e for e discussio n o n establishin g desig n an d constructio n limits for roads (4 8 F

R22119))
. Th e provision s o f

propose d paragraph (c ) woul d b e th e sam e a s th e 198 3 rule , excep tthatth e provisio n fro m th e 198 3 rul e governing road safety i s no t include d i n th e propose d rul e becaus e safety consideration s fo

r user s o f road s associate d with surface an d undergroun

d mining ar e th e responsibilit

y of th e Mine Safet

y an d Healt h Administration , an d hav e bee n addresse d i n tha

tagency' s rule s e t3 0 CF R77.160 0 et seq. Th e environmenta

l protectio n requirement

s of thi s paragraph deriv e fro

m section s 515(b ) (17 ) and (18 ) of

SMCRA, whic h establis h performanc

e standard s t o ensur e that th e construction , maintenanc e an d postminin g condition s o

f acces s road s into and acros s th e sit e o

f operation s wil l control o r preven terosio n and siltation , pollutio n of

water , damage t

o fish o r wildlif

e o r thei r habitat , o r publi c o r privat e property . Roa

d safet y i s not addresse d b y thes e provision s o f SMCRA , an d therefor

e OSMR E believe s i ti s no tappropriat

e t o includ eFedera l Registe r / Vol . 52 , No . 21 2 /

Tuesday , Novembe r 3 , 198 7 / Propose d Rule s 422 6 

# 1

requirements pertaining t o safety i n thi s rule . Sections 816.i50(d)/817.150(d) Location. Proposed 8 816.150(d

) include s locatio n performanc

e standard s identical t o thos e i n th e 198 3 rule . The y woul d prohibitth e placemen tof an y par to f a road i n th e channel o f

e n intermitten

to r perennia

l strea m unles s th e regulatory authorit

y specificall y approve s such a n action , an d woul d require tha

troads b e locate d t o minimiz e downstrea

m sedimentatio n an d flooding
. Sections 816.150(e)/817J50(e) Maintenance, Proposed paragrap

h (e ) i s simila r t o 8 816.150(e

) i n th e 198

3 rule , and woul d govern th e genera

l maintenanc e responsibilities o f

th e operator . Unde r thi s proposal , a road mustb e maintaine d t

o meetth e performanc

e standards-and an y additiona l desig n criteri a establishe d b y th e regulator y authority
. Also , th e propose d rule woul d provid e tha

ti n th e even to f

damag e du e t o a catastrophi c even ta road mustb e repaired a s soo n a s practicabl e after th e damag e ha s occurred . Th e requirement i n th e 198 3 rul e t o maintai n a road throughou tit s lif e i s no tinclude d i n th e propose d rul e becaus e unde r SMCR A a n operato r ha s n o responsibilit y for a road i n th e pos tminin

g us e period
. Section 816.150(f)/817.150(f) Reclamation. Propose d 8 818.150(f

) provide s tha

ta roa d which i s no tt o b e retained unde r a n approved postminin g lan d us e must b e reclaimed immediatel y after i tn o longe r i s neede d for mining and reclamatio n Operations
. Th e reclamation activitie s thatwoul d b e require d b y thi s paragrap h includ e (1 ) closin g th e road t o traffic ; (2) removing al l bridge s an d culverts unles s approved a s par to f th e postminin g lan d use ; (3 ) removing o r otherwis e disposin g o f

road-surfacing material s tha

tare incompatibl e wit

h th e postminin g lan d us e an d th e revegetatio n requirements o f th e regulation ; (4 ) reshapin g cutan d fill slope s a s necessar y t o b e compatibl e wit h th e postminin g lan d us e an d to complementth e natura

l drainag e patter n o f th e surroundin

g terrain ; (5 ) protectin g th e natura

l drainage pattern s b y installin g dike s o r cros s drain s a s necessar y t

o control surface runof

f an d erosion ; an d (6) scarifyin g o r ripping th e roadbed , replacing topsoi l or substitute materi"'"r>' : "etatin

g disturbe d • surffc^ anc e with 3 0 CF R 816.2 2 and O^.i i throug

h 818.116
. ' Thes e propose d reclamation

requirement

s are similar t

o thos e i n th e 198 3 rule , bu tals o Include severa l concept s from tiie 1979 rule . Proposed paragrap h (f)(3) , from tile 197

9 rule , woul d requir

e tiie removal o r othe r disposa l o f

road-surfacing material s that ar e incompatibl e with th e reclamation requirements o f

tiie Ac tTh e operato r woul d b e require

d t o remove th e roadsurfacing material s o r to bur y the m o n th e roadbed i f

the y wer e incompatibl e with th e postminin g lan d us e an d th e revegetatio n requirement s of 3 0 CF R 816.11 1 throug

h 818.116
. A s state d i n th e preambl e t o th e 1979 rule (4 4 F R15280) , surfacin g material s thatar e burie d o n th e roadbed woul d hav e t o b e covere d with sufficien

tmateria l t o mee tth e inten to f di e Ac tincludin g representin g n o risk to vegetatio n o r wate r quality
. Proposed paragrap

h 818.150(f)(4) include s provision s from th e 1979 rules . Th e requiremen

tto reshap e al l cutan d fill slopes i n th e 198

3 rul e woul d b e change d b y addin g languag e from th e - 1979 rul e tiiatrequires tha tcu tand fil l slope s b e reshaped onl y a s necessar y t o b e compatibl e wit

h th e postminin g lan d us e and t o complementth e natura l drainage patter

n o f th e surrounding terrain
. OSMR

E believe s thi s chang e i s reasonabl e becaus e i n som e cases , such a s grazing'and wildlif

e areas , cutand fill slope s ma

y no tnee d modificatio n t o b e compatibl e wit

h post-minin g lan d uses . Propose d paragraph 818.150(f)(5) woul d introduce a requiremen tt o protec tnatura

l drainag e pattern s b y installin g dike s o r cros s drain s a s necessar y t o control surface runof f an d erosion
. OSMR

E believe s thi s requiremen

ti s necessar y t o preven t erosio n wher e revegetatio n an d mulching woul d no tcontrol erosio n an d runof f fro m th e reclaimed road right-ofway , such a s may occu r o n very stee p slopes , i n situation s wher e th e road grad e i s no teliminated.
. Propose d paragrap

h 816.150(f)(6) woul d requir

e th e operato r t o scarif

y o r rip th e roadbed prio r t o replacing topsoi l o r othe r substitute materia l before revegetatin g th e area . Scarifying o r ripping di e roadbed i s necessar y t o brea k u p tb e compacte d soi l and allo w fo r moisture percolatio n and roo t penetration
. Th e propose d paragrap h woul d modif

y th e 198 3 languag e t

o permi tth e us e o f

topsoi l substitute s o r supplement

s whe n reclaimin g roadbeds, thu s makin

g thes e provision s consisten t with th e topsoi l provision s i n 3 0 CF R 816.22
. J • • . E Sections 818.151/817.151 Primary Roads. ., Becaus e primar

y roads hav e greate r potential tha

n ancillary roads t o caus e advers e environmenta l impacts , propose d 8 818.15 1 woul d establis h a n additional se tof

performanc

e standard s fo r thei r design , constructio n and maintenance , i n additio n t o thos e establishe d for al l roads i n 8 816.150
. Thes e propose d performanc e standard s ar e simila r t o thos e i n th e 198 3 rule , wit h th e additio n o f

tw o ne w requirements. Thes e ne w requirements, a s explaine d i n th e followin g section , woul d allo w lan d surveyors t

o certif y th e constructio n o r reconstructio n of roads i n certai n cases , and woul d apply th e minimu m stati c safety facto r o

f 1. 3 onl y t o embankment

s o f primar y roads. Sections 818.151(a)/817.151(a) Certification. Propose d 8 816.151(a

) woul d requir

e thatprimar

y road constructio n o

r reconstructio n b e certifie d i n a repor tt o th e regulatory authorit

y b y a qualified registere d professional engineer
. Th e requiremen

tfo r professional certification , which woul d assur e tha t th e road i s properly constructe d t o meet th e environmenta

l protectio n standard s

- o f th e Ac twa s include d in th e 198 3 rule . Under th e proposal , however , certificatio n b y a qualified registere d professional lan d surveyo r als o woul d b e allowe d i n an y Stat e which authorize s lan d surveyors t o certif y th e constructio n o r reconstruction of primar y roads . Thi s provisio n i s base d o n a Novembe r 4,1983 , amendmen tt o th e Ac t(Se a 115 , Pub . L 98-146 , 9 7 Stat
. 93 8 (1983) ) which provide s tha t"(n)o t withstandin g sectio n 507(b)(14 ) of the Surfac e Mining Contro

l an d Reclamatio n Ac to f 197 7 (Pub
. L 95-87) , cros s sections , map s o r plan s o f land t o b e affecte d b y a

n applicatio n fo

r a surface mining and reclamation permi tshal l b e prepared b y o r unde

r th e directio n of

a qualifie d registered professiona l enginee r o r geologist , o r qualified registere d professional lan d surveyo r i n an y Stat e whic

h authorize s lan d surveyors t o prepar

e and certif

y such map s o r plans. " A registered lan d surveyo r woul d hav e t o hav e experienc e i n th e desig n and constructio n o f roads i n orde r t o substitute fo r a qualified registere d professional engineer
. Thi s requiremen

ti s equivalen tt

o th e experienc e requirementfo r certifie d engineers
. Proposed 8 818.151(a

) woul d als o requir e th e certifying professional t o prepar e and submi

tt o th e regulatory authorit y a repor tcertifying tha

tth e primar y road wa s constructe d o r reconstructe d a s designe d and in accordanc e wit

h th e approved plan . Thi s provisio n i s unchanged fro m th e 198 3 rule .P. 9

4228 4 Federa l Registe r /Vo l 52
. No . 21 2 /Tuesday , Novembe r 3 , 198 7 / Propose d Rule s

^i-fTbmmmCmm '-^i?*?S*' W

1



## H Sections 81B.151fl>)/817.151(b) Safety factor. Proposed 8 816.151(b ) woul d requir e ' tha tal l embankment

s hav e a minimu

m stati c safet

y facto r of

1.3
. Unde r th e proposal , thi s provisio n woul d b e move d fro m 8 619.150 , wher e i twa s i n th e 1983 rule , t o J 616.151 , an d woul d appl y onl y t o primar y roads. Thi s woul d b e consisten twith th e concep tdevelope d in th e 197 9 rale where th e stati c safety facto r applie d onl y t

o road s tha

tbad greater environmenta

l effects (Clas s I and I I road s i n th e 197

9 classificatio n system ] du e to hig

h embankment

s an d a hig h volume of

traffi c whic h results i n greater degradation
. (4 4 F R1525 3 (1979))
. I twoul d als o b e almos tidentica l t o th e facto r o f

125 use d i n th e 197

9 rule . OSMR E i s especiall y intereste d i n receivin g comment

s o n th e adequacy of thi s propose d factor , an d th e nee d to apply th e facto r t o ancillary a s wel l a s primar y roads. Rathe r tha n specif y particula

r desig n criteria fo r roa d embankments , di e 1. 3 facto r o f safety woul d establis h a performanc

e standar d tha tmustb e attained
. The operato r woul d hav e di e flexibilit y to selec tth e particular desig n fo r the roa d tha

tmeet s thi s standard . I

n a related proposal , propose d 6 78037(c ) woul d enabl e th e regulator y authorit y to establis h engineerin g desig n standard s throug h th e State progra

m approva

l proces s i n lie u of

engineering test s that ar e performe

d t o establis h complianc e wit h th e safet

y factor
. Sections 816.151(c)/817J51(c) Location. Propose d 6 816.151(c)(1 ) woul d require primar y roads t o b e located , insofa r a s practicable , o n th e mos tstabl e availabl e surface s t o mtnimfa

w erosion
. Propose d paragrap h (c)(2 ) woul d prohibitprimar y road s fro m usin g strea

m ford s o n perennia l or intermittentstream s unles s specificall y approve d b y di e regulator y authorit y a s temporary route s durin g road construction
. Thes e provision s ar e th e sam e a s thos e i n th e 198 3 rul e excep t fo r th e requiremen

tfor prohibiting strea m fords o n perennia

l o r intermittent streams , whic h i s include d to kee p th e provisio n consisten twith propose d 8 816J50(d)ll)
. Sections 818.151(d)/8l7.151(d) Drainage Control Proposed 8 816.151(d

) woul d requir

e tha tsurface wate r drainage fo r eac h primar y roa d b e controlle d i n accordanc e wit h th e approve d reclamation an d operatio n pla n specifie d b y propose d 8 780.37(a)
. Sinc e th e desig n aspec to f

drainage control i s a par to f thi s plan , i ti s no tnecessar y t o includ e simila r provision s i n th e drainage contro l provisio n o f

. 8 816.151(d)
. Generally , di e provision s o f propose d paragrap

h (d ) ar e simila r to 8 8 816.15 1 (c)(1 ) throug

h (c)(6 ) o f di e 1983 rule ; an y difference s ar e discusse d below . Proposed paragraph rd)(l ) woul d requir e tiiatprimar

y road s b e constructed , reconstructe d an d maintaine d to hav e adequate drainag e control b y using structures such as , bu t no tlimite d to , bridges , ditche s an d drains
. Paragrap

h (dXl ) als o woul d requir e dia ta ta minimum

, drainage control system s b e designe d t o safel y pas s di e peakjrunof

f from a 10-year , 6
- hour o r greate r precipitatio n even tT o provid e flexibility to regulator y authoritie s t o accoun tfor particular situation s likel y t o b e encountere d ove r th e lif e of s mine , o r related to specifi c downstrea

m conditions , di e propose d rule woul d allo w modificatio n o f thi s standar d b y di e regulator

y authorit y i n thos e situation s wher e th e 10-year , 6
- hour precipitatio n even tmigh tnotb e appropriate
. Proposed paragraph (d)(2 ) woul d requir e tha tdrainage pipe s and culverts b e installe d a s designe d and maintaine d i n a fre e and operatin g condition , an d t o avoi d erosio n a tinlet s and outlets . Propose d paragrap

h (d)(3 ) woul d requir

e tha tdrainag e ditche s b e constructe d and maintaine d t o preven tuncontrolle d drainag e ove r th e road surfac e an d embankment. Th e requirementfrom di e 198 3 rule die ttrash rack s and debri s basin s b e installe d i n drainage ditche s wher e debri s ma

y impai r m e functioning of drainage an d sedimen tcontrol structures i s no tinclude d i n tiiis propose d rule . OSMR

E believe s tiiis requiremen

trepresents onl y on e of severa l specifi c method s o f meetin g th e performanc

e standard s of 8 816.151(d)(3)
. Sinc e drainage ditches , pipe s and culverts mustfunction durin g th e maintenance phas e o

f a road, OSMR E i s proposin g t o ad d a maintenanc e requirementt o paragraphs (d)(2 ) an d (d)(3)
. Proposed paragrap

h (d)(4) woul d requir e tha tculverts b e installe d and maintaine d t o sustai n di e vertical soi l pressure , th e passiv e resistanc e o f th e foundation , and th e weigh tof vehicle s usin g th e road . A s note d above , tiie reference t

o desig n criteri a ha s no tbee n repropose d i n thi s paragraph . Propose d paragrap h (d)(5 ) woul d require that natura l strea m channel s no tb e altere d o r relocated withou tprio r approva l o f th e regulatory authority , excep ta s provide d b y th e rule s o n hydrologi c balanc e i n 3 0 CF

R816.4 1 throug

h 618.4 3 an d 816.57
. Proposed paragrap h (d)(6) woul d require tha texcep ta s provided i

n paragrap h (c)(2) , strea

m channel crossing s fo

r perennia

l and intermitten

t stream s b e accomplishe d using bridges , culverts , low-wate r crossings , o r other structures designed , constructe d an d maintaine d usin g curren tpruden t engineerin g practices
. Th e requiremen

tfo r drainage structures a tperennia

l an d intermitten

t stream s woul d b e mad e to ensur e consistenc y witi i 8 816.150(d)(1 ) o f thi s part. By visin

g curren tpruden

t engineering practice s t

o design , construc tand maintain crossings , di e hydrologi c and environmenta l balanc e of th e strea m woul d b e protecte d whe n th e crossin g wer e i n place . Proposed paragrap

h (d)(6) include s language referrin

g t o perennia

l an d intermitten

tstreams , fo

r consistenc y wit h th e language o

f the performanc

e standar d i n 8 816.150(d)
. I

tha s als o bee n reworded for clarity
. Mor e significantly , low-wate r crossing s woul d b e adde d t o th e lis tof structures tha

tar e allowe d fo

r strea m crossings
. Low-wate r crossing s pas s th e lo w o r norma

l flo w throug

h th e structure , whil e high-wate r flows ove r th e structure , which i s designe d t o accommodat

e high-wate r flows by usin g a nonerodabl e roadway surface suc h a s concrete . Durin

g norma l flow, traffic use s th e structur

e a s a bridge , bu

thig h flows restrictth e us e o

f the crossing
. Proposed paragrap

h (d)(6) woul d specif

y thatwhe n th e operato r propose s t o us e a low-wate r crossing , th e regulatory authorit y shal l ensur

e tha tth e crossin g i s designed , constructe d en d maintaine d t o preven terosio n o

f th e structur

e o r Btreambe d and additional contribution s of suspende d solid s t o streamflow
. OSMR E believe s tha

tproperl y constructe d an d maintaine d tow-water crossing s mee tth e requirement s o f th e Ac tan d provid e anothe r typ e o f structur e suitabl e fo r strea

m crossings
. Sections 818.151(e)/817.1Sl(e) Surfacing. Propose d 6 816.151(e

) woul d requir

e thatprimar

y road s b e surface d with materia l approve d b y th e regulatory authorit y a s bein g sufficiently durabl e for th e anticipate d volum e of traffi c an d th e weigh tand spee d of

vehicle s usin g th e road. Thi s proposa

l i s essentiall y the sam e a s paragraph (d ) i n th e 1983 rule , bu twoul d notspecif

y th e kind s o

f material s which mustb e use d fo r surfacing primar

y roads . OSMR

E believe s tiiatsinc e th e regulator y authorit y ma y approv e onl y surfacin g material s which meetth e requirements o f thi s paragraph , iti s no tnecessar y t o lis tth e material s thatma y b e used . Th e regulatory authorit

y shoul d hav e th eP.1 0



### Federa l Registe r /

Vol . 52 , N a .21 2 /

Toesday , Novembe r 3 , 198 7 / Propose d Rule s 4226 5

flexibilit y t o approy e any.materia

l whic h wil l satisf

y thes e requirements. Paragrap h 816.151(e

) o f th e 198 3 rule , whic h liste d routin

e maintenanc e responsibilitie s fo r primar y roads , i s no t include d i n thi s propose d rule . Sectio n 816.150(e)(1 ) o f

thi s proposa

l establishe s maintenance requirement s lo r al l roads; iti s no tnecessar y t o establis h separat e requirement

s fo r primar

y roads. Th e regulatory authorit

y ma y specif

y additional maintenanc e criteri a for primar y roads , a s necessary . , Effect in Federal

Program States The rul e proposed here , i

f adopted , woul d b e applicabl e throug h cross referencing fa thos e State s wit h Federa l programs . Thi s include s Georgia , Idaho , - Massachusetts , Michigan
. Nort h Carolina, Oregon , Rhod e Island , Soot h Dakota , Tennessee , and Washington
. The Federa

l program s for thes e State s appear at3 0 CF

RPart s 910 , 912,921,922
. 933 , 937,939 , 941 , 942 , an d 947 , respectively
. Comment

s ar e specificall y solicite d a s t

o whethe r uniqu

e condition s exis ti n an y o

f thes e State s relating t o thi s proposa

l whic h shoul d b e reflected eithe r a s change s t o di e nationa l rule s o r a s State-specifi c amendment

s t o an y o f th e Federal progra m rules . Th e propose d rule s als o apply throug

h cross-referencin g t

o India n land s unde

r Federa l program s fo r India n land s a s provide d i n 3 0 CF RPar t 750
. IV . Procedura

l Matter s Federal Paperwork Reduction Act Th e proposed rul e contain s revised information collectio n requirements fo r 8 8 780.87, 780.38 , 784.2

4 and 784.30 whic h hav e bee n submitted t

o th e Offic

e of Managemen

tand Budge

t(OMB) under 4 4 U.S.C
. 3507
. Th e information collectio n requirements for Par t81 6 hav e als o bee n submitte d t o OM B for review , an d di e informatio n collectio n requirement

s for 3 0 CF RPar t81 7 wil l b e submitted t

o OM B fo r review b y Novembe r 1,1987
. Executive Older12291
. Th e DO I ha s examine d 4b e propose d rule accordin g to th e criteri a o f Executiv e Orde

r 1229 1 fJ'ebruBrjrl? , • 1981 ) and ha s determine d tha titi s not' major an d doe s no trequire a regulator y impac tanalysis
. ..-•- : Regulatory Flexibility Act
. ' ' ' Th e DO I als o ha s determined
. - . pursuan tt o th e Regulator

y Flexibilit

y •: Act5U.S.C.601erfse(7, : thatth e - 7 propose d rul

e wil l not have. a significant economi c impac

to n a substantial

. numbe r o f smal l entities , r-,. -.,. .'.
.. . National Environmental

Policy-Act OSMR E ha s prepared a n environmenta

l assessmen t(EA ) for tiiis rule , an d ha s mad e a finding dia ti t woul d no tsignificantl y affec tdi e qualit

y o f th e huma n environmentunde r sectio n 102(2)(C) o f

th e National Environmenta l Policy Ac to f

1969,4 2 U.S.C
. 4332(2)(C)
. The E A an d finding of

n o significan t impac tar e o n file i n th e administrative recor d for thi s rule i n th e OSMR E Administrative Recor

d Roo m at1100 L StreetNW. , Washington
. DC
. Author Th e author of

thi s propose d rul e i s Rober tA
. Wiles , PJL, Office o f Surface Minin g Reclamatio n and Enforcement 195 1 Constitutio n Avenu e NW. , Washington , D C 20240 ; Telephone : 202
- 343-1502
. lis to f Subject s 30 CFR Part

701 Law enforcemen tSurface mining , Undergroun

d mining
. 30CFRPart780 Reportin g and recordkeepin g requirements
. Surface mining
. 30 CFR Part

784 Reportin g and recordkeepin g requirements , Undergroun d mining
. 30 CFR Part

815 Reporting and recordkeepin g requirements. Surfac

e mining
. 30CFRPart816 Environmenta

l protection , Reporting and recordkeepin g requirements , Surfac e mining
. 30 CFR Part

817 ~ .'.,.••> Coa l mining
. Environmenta

l protection , Reportin

g and recordkeeping requirements , Undergroun d mining
.

, .Accordingly , it.i s propose d t o amen d . 3 0 CF RPart s 701 , 78 a 784.815,616 , an d 81 7 a s se tfort

h below . Date : Jun e 3,1987
. )
. Steve n Griies , "- Assistant Secretary—land'and Minerals \ MnnagemenL -

" 

### PART 701—PERMANEN

T • .

- REGULATOR

Y PROGRA

M 1
. Th e authorit

y citatio n for Par

t70 1
. reads a s follows : Authority:Pub

. L . 85-87
. Sl-Sta

L 44 5 (3 0 .U.S.C.
. 120 1 etseq.). 2
. fa 8 701,6 , th e definitio n o f 'iroad " i s revise d t o rea d a s follows : - - - > 5701. 6 [Amended

] '" \ " '""'.'„'.'' Road means a surface right-of-wa y fo r purpose s o f

travel b y lan d vehicle s use d i n surface coal mining an d reclamatio n operation s o r coal exploration
. A roa d consist s of

th e entir e are a withi n th e right-of-way , includin g th e roadbed, .shoulders , parkin

g and sid e areas , approaches , structures , ditche s and surface
. Th e ter

m include s acces s and hau l road s constructed , used , reconstructed , improved o r maintaine d fo r us e i n surface coal minin g and reclamation operation s o r coal exploration , includin g us e b y coal hauling vehicle s leadin g t o transfer, processing , o r storag e areas . Th e ter m doe s no tinclud e pionee r roads, temporar y route s use d for constructin g acces s o r hau

l roads, ramps an

d routes of trave l withi n th e immediat

e minin g area o r withi n spoi l o

r coal mine wast e disposa l areas .

PAR T 780—SURFAC E MININ G PERMI T APPLICATIONS—MINIMU M REQUIREMENT S FO R RECLAMATIO N AN D OPERATIO N PLA N 3
. The autiiorit

y citatio n fo

r Par t780 reads a s follows : Authority : Pub

. L 95-07,8 1 Stat

. 44 5 (3 0 U.S.C
. 120 1 et seq.) an d sec. 115 , Pub . L . 98
- 146 , 9 7 Stat
. 93 8 (3 8 U.S. C 1257)
. unles

s otherwis e noted. 4
. Sectio n 780.3

7 i s revise d t

o rea d a s follows : 8 780.37 Roa

d systems
. (a ) Plans and

drawings. Eac

h

. applicantfo

r a surfac e coal minin

g an d reclamation permi

tshal l submi

tplan s an d drawing s for eac h road, a s define d i n 8 701 3 o f

tiiis chapter , to b e constructed , use d ormaintaine d withi n th e proposed permi

tare a Th e plan s and drawing s shall

— fl ) Include a map , appropriat e cros s sections , desig n drawing s and specification s fo

r roa d widths , gradients , surfacing materials , cuts , fill embankments , culverts , bridges , drainage ditches , low-wate r crossing s and drainage structures ; (2 ) Contain th e drawing s an d specification s of

eac h propose d roa

d tha ti s locate d i n th e channel o f a n intermitten

to rperennia

l strea m and thu s requires the approva

l o f th e regulator y authorit y i n accordanc e wit

h 8 816.150(d)(1 ) o

f thi s chapte r (3 ) Contain di e drawing s an d specification s fo r each proposed strea m for d tha ti s use d a s a temporar

y route and thus requires di e approva l o f th e regulator y authorit y i n accordanc e wit

h 8 816.151(c)(2) o

f thi s chapter : .P.1 1

4226 6 Federa l Registe r / Vol

. 52 , No

. 21 2 /

Tuesday , Novembe r

3 , 198 7 /

Propose d Rule s

<

Hmmm

' ajup'finy- ] (4) Contai n adescriptio n o f measure s t o b e take n t o obtai n approva l o f th e regulatory authorit y fo

r alteratio n o r relocation o

f anatura l drainagewa y unde r 8 816.151(d)(5 ) o

f thi s chapter , (5 ) Contai n th e drawing s an d specification s fo

r eac h low-wate r crossin g s o th e regulatory authorit y ca n maximiz e th e protectio n o f th e strea mi n accordanc e with 8 816.151(d)(b ) o f thi s chapter ; an d (6) Describ e th e plan s t o remov e an d reclaimeac h road tha t

woul d no t

b e retainedunde r

a n approve d postminin g lan d use , an d th e schedul e fo r thi s removal an dreclamation

. (b ) Primary road

certification. Th e plan s an d drawing s fo

r eac h primary roa dshal l b e prepare d by , o r unde r th e directio n of

, an dcertifie db y aqualifie d registere dprofessiona l engineer , o r i n an y Stat e whic h authorize s lan d surveyor s t o certif

y th e desig n o

f primary road s aqualifie d registere d professiona l lan dsurveyor , with experienc e i n th e desig n an d constructio n o

f roads , a s meetin g th e requirement s o

f thi s chapter ; current , pruden t engineerin g practices ; an dan y desig n criteri aestablishe d b y th e regulatory authority

. (c ) Standard

design plans. Th e regulatory authorit y may establis h engineerin g desig n standard s for primary road s throug h th e Stat e program approva l proces s i n lieu o f engineerin g test s t o establis h Complianc e with the

. minimu mstati c safety facto r o f 1. 3 fo r al f embankments specifie di n 8 816.151(b ) o

f thi s chapter

. 5

. Sectio n 780.3 8 i s adde d t o read a s follows : §7803 8 Suppor

t facilities

. . Eac h applican t

fo r asurfac e coa l minin g an dreclamatio n permi t shal l submi t adescription , plan s an d drawing s fo

r eac h support

facilit y t o b e constructed , use do r

maintaine dwithi n th e propose dpermi t

area
. Th e plan s an d drawing s shal l includ e amap , appropriat e cros s sections , desig n drawing s an dspecification s sufficient t o demonstrat e complianc e with 8 816.18 1 of thi s chapte r

fo r eac h facility

. PAR T 784—UNDERGROUN D MININ G PERMI T APPLICATIONS—MINIMU M REQUIREMENT S FO R RECLAMATIO N AN D OPERATIO N PLA N 6

. Th e authorit y citatio n fo r Par t 784 reads a s follows : Authority : Pub

. L

. 95-87,9 1 Stat

. 44 5 (30 U.S.C

. 120 1 et

seq.) an dsec
. 115 , Pub

. L

. 98

- . 146,97 Stat

. 93 8 (3

0 U.S.C

. 1257) , unles s otherwis e noted

. . . -;.:-•- ' 7

. Sectio n 784.2

4 i s revisedto-rea da s follows : 8784.2 4 Roa d systems
. (a ) Plans and

drawings. Eac h applican t fo r a n undergroun dcoa l minin g an d reclamation permi t shal l submi t plan s an d drawing s fo

r eac h road, a s define d i n 8 701. 5 o f thi s chapter , t o b e constructed , use do r maintaine dwithi n th e propose dpermi t area
. Th e plan s an ddrawing s shall— (1 ) Includ e amap , appropriat e cros s sections , desig n drawing s an d specification s fo

r road widths , gradients , surfacin g materials , cuts , fill embankments , culverts , bridges , drainag e ditches , low-wate r crossing s an ddrainag e structures ; (2 ) Contai n th e drawing s an d specification s o

f eac h propose droad tha t i s locate d i n the

. channe l o f a n intermitten t

o r perennia l strea man d thus require s th e approva l o f th e regulatory authorit y i n accordanc e wit h 8 817.150(d)(1 ) o

f thi s chapter ; (3 ) Contai n th e drawing s an d specification s fo

r eac h propose dstrea m for d tha t i s use d a s atemporar y route an dthus requires th e approva l o f th e regulatory authorit y i n accordanc e wit h 8 817.151(c)(2) o

f thi s chapte r (4 ) Contai n adescriptio n o

f measure s t o b e take n t o obtai n approva l o f th e regulatory authorit y fo

r alteratio n o r relocatio n of

anatura l drainagewa y unde r 8 817.151(d)(5 ) of

thi s chapte r

. (5 ) Contai n th e drawing s an d specification s fo

r eac h low-wate r crossin g s o th e regulator y authorit y ca n

- maximiz e th e protectio n o f th e strea mi n accordanc e wit h 8 817.151(d)(6 ) o f thi s chapter , an d (6) Describ e th e plan s t o remov e an d reclaimeac h road tha t

woul d no t

b e retained unde r

a n approve d postminin g lan d use , an d th e schedul e fo r thi s removal an dreclamation. (b ) Primary road

certification. Th e plan s an d drawing s fo

r eac h primary roa d shal l b e prepare d by , o r unde r th e directio n of

, an dcertifie db y aqualifie d registered professiona l engineer , o r i n an y Stat e whic h authorize s lan d surveyor s t o certif

y th e desig n o

f -primar y roads aqualifie dregistere d professiona l lan dsurveyor , experience d i n tiie desig n an d constructio n o f roads, a s meetin g th e requirement s o f thi s chapter ; current , pruden t

engineerin g • practices ; an dan y desig n criteri a establishe d b y th e regulatory authority

. (c ) Standard

design plans. Th e regulatory authorit y may establis h engineerin g desig n standard s fo r primar y roads throug h th e Stat e program approva l proces s i n lieu o f engineerin g test s t o establis h complianc e with th e

. minimu mstati c safety facto r o f 1. 3 fo r al l embankments specifie d i n 8 817.151(b ) o

f thi s chapter

. 8

. Sectio n 784.3 0 i s adde dto rea d a s follows : 8784.3 0 Suppor

t facilities

. Eac h applican t

fo r a n undergroun d coa l minin g an dreclamatio n permi t shal l submi t

adescription , plan s an d drawing s fo

r eac h support

facilit y to b o constructed , use d o r

maintaine d withi n th e propose d permi t

area
. Th e plan s an d drawing s shal l includ e amap , appropriat e cros s sections , desig n drawing s an dspecification s sufficien t t o demonstrat e complianc e with § 817.18 1 o f thi s chapte r

fo r eac h facility

. 

### PAR T 815—PERMANEN

T PROGRA

M PERFORMANC E STANDARDS—COA L EXPLORATIO

N 9

. Th e authorit y citatio n fo r Par t 81 5 reads a s follows : Authority : Pub

. L 95-87 , U.S.C

. 120 1 et seq. 10

. Sectio n 815.1 5 i s amende db y revising paragrap h (b ) t o rea d a s follows : 8 815.1 5 Performanc

e standard s fo r coa l exploration

. (b ) Al l roads o r

othe r transportatio n facilitie s use dfo

r coa l exploratio n shal l compl y wit h th e applicabl e provision s o f 8 8 816.15 0 (b ) throug h (f)

. 816.18 0 an d 816.18 1 o f thi s chapter

.
PAR T 816—PERMANEN T PROGRA M PERFORMANC E STANDARDS SURFAC E MININ G ACTIVITIE S 10

. Th e authorit y citatio n fo r Par t 81 6 reads a s follows : Authority : Pub

. L

. 95-87,9 1 Stat

. 44

5 (3 0 U.S.C

. 120 1 et

seq.) an dsec
. 115 , Pub

. L

. 98

- 146.9 7 Stat

. 93 8 (3

0 U.S.C

. 1257) , unles s otherwis e noted

. 11

. Sectio n 816.15 0 i s revise d t o rea d a s follows : 8816.15 0 Roads:General

. (a ) Road classification system. (1 ) Eac h road, a s define d i n 6 701. 5 o f thi s chapter , shal l b e classifie d a s eithe r a primary road o r

a n ancillar y road

. (2 ) A primary road i s an y road whic h is — (i ) Use dfo

r transportin g coa l o r

spoil ; (ii ) Frequentl y use dfo

r acces s o r oth e purpose s fo

r aperio di n exces s o

f si x months ; o r (iii ) T o b e retained fo

r a n approve d postminin g lan duse
. (3 ) A n ancillar y roa di s an y roa d not classifie d a s aprimary road. (b ) Performance standards. Eac h roa d shal l b e located , designed , constructed

.P.1 2

Federa l Registe r /

Vol . 52 , No . 21 2 /Tuesday , Novembe r 3 , 198 7 / Propose d Rule s 4226 7

reconstructed , used , maintaine d an d reclaime d s o a s to : (1 ) Contro l o r preven terosion , siltation , and th e ai r poUutio n attendant t o erosion , b y measure s such a s vegetating , watering , usin g chemica l or othe r dus tsuppressant

s o r otherwis e stabilizin g al l expose d surface s i n accordanc e wit

h curren tpruden

t engineering practices ; (2 ) Contro

l o r preventdamage t o fish, wildlif e o r thei r habitatan d relate d environmenta

l values ; (3 ) Contro l o r preventadditional contributions of

suspende d solid s t o strea m flo w o r runof

f outsid e th e permi

t area ; (4 ) Neithe r caus e no r contribut e to , directl y o r indirectly , th e violatio n o f State o r Federa

l wate r qualit

y standard s applicabl e t o receivin g waters ; (5 ) Refrai n fro m seriousl y alterin g di e norma l flo w o f wate r i n streambed s o r drainage channels ; (6 ) Preven to r control damag e t o publi c o r privat e property , includin g th e preventio n o r mitigatio n o f advers e effects t o land s witiii n th e boundarie s o f unit s of th e National Par

k System , th e ~ National Wildlif

e Refug e System , th e National Syste m o f

Trails , th e National Wildernes s Preservatio n System , th e Wil d and Sceni c Rivers System , includin g designate d stud y rivers, an d National Recreatio n Area s designate d b y Ac to f Congress ; and (7 ) Us e nonacid
- o r nontoxic-fonnin g substance s i n road surfacing
. (c ) Design and

construction limits and establishment

Of design criteria. T o ensure environmenta

l protectio n appropriat

e fo r thei r planne d duration and use , includin g consideratio n o f th e typ e and siz e of

equipmen

tused , th e desig n an d constructio n o r • - reconstructio n o

f roads shal l incorporat

e appropriat

e limit s fo r grade , width , surfac e materials , surface drainag e control , culver

tplacemen tculvertsize , tha twoul d b e i n accordanc e with curren tpruden

tengineerin g practices , and an y necessar y desig n criteri a establishe d b y di e regulator y authority
. (d ) Location. (1 ) N o parto f an y road shal l b e locate d i n th e channel of a n intermittento

r perennia

l strea m unles s specificall y approve d b y th e regulator y authority
. (2 ) Road s shal l b e locate d t o minimiz e downstream sedimentatio n an d flooding
. (e ) Maintenance. (1 ) A road shal l b e maintaine d t o meetth e performanc e standard s o f

thi s par tan d an y additional criteri a specifie d b y th e regulator y authority
. (2) A road damaged b y a -catastrophic even tsuc h a s a floo d o r earthquake , . . shal l b e repaired assooaasi s . practicabl e after'th e damage ha s - • occurred . -.'•' • (f j Reclamation, A road no tt o b e retaine d unde r « n approve d postminin g lan d us e shal l b e reclaimed i n accordanc e wit

h th e approved reclamation pla n immediatel y afte r i tI s n o longe r neede d fo r minin g and reclamation operations
. Thi s reclamatio n shal l include : (1 ) Closin g th e roa

d t o traffic ; (2 ) Removing al l bridge s and culverts unles s approve d a s par

to f di e postminin g lan d use ; (3 ) Removing o

r otherwis e disposin g o f road-surfacing material s tha tar e incompatibl e with th e postminin g len d us e and revegetation requirements ; . (4 ) Reshapin g cu tan d fil l slope s a s necessar y t o b e compatibl e with di e postminin g lan d us e an d t o complement th e natura

l drainag e pattern o f

th e surroundin

g .terrain ; (5 ) Protecting th e natura

l drainag e pattern s b y installin g dike s o r cros s drain s a s necessar y t o contro l surfac e runof f and erosion ; an d (6 ) Scarifying o r ripping di e roadbed, replacin g topsoi l o r substitute materia l and revegetating disturbe d surface s i n accordanc e with 8 8 816.2 2 an d 816.11 1 throug h 818.11 6 o f

thi s chapter . 12
. Sectio n 818.15 1 i s revise d t o rea d a s follows : 8816.15 1 Primar y roads

. Primar y roads shal l meetth e requirements o f

8 816.150 an d th e additional requirement

s o f thi s section
. (a ) Certification. Th e constructio n o r reconstructio n of

primar y road s shal l b e certifie d i n a reportt o th e regulatory authorit y b y a qualifie d registere d professional engineer , o r i n an y Stat e whic h authorize s lan d surveyor s to certif y th e constructio n o r reconstructio n of

primar y road s a qualifie d registered professional lan d surveyor , wit

h experienc e i n th e desig n an d constructio n of

roads. Th e report shal l indicate tha

tdi e primar

y roa d ha s bee n constructe d o r reconstructe d a s designe d an d i n accordanc e with the.. . approve d plan . (b ) Safety factor. Eac

h primar y road embankmen

tshal l hav e a minimu

m stati c safety facto r o f

1 J . - (c ) Location. (1 ) T o minimis e erosion , e primary , road shal l b e located , insofa r a s i s practicable , o n th e mos tstabl e availabl e surface
. (2 ) Fords o f

perennia l o r intermittent stream s b y primar

y road s ar e prohibite d unles s the y ar e specificall y approve d b y th e regulator

y authorit y e s temporar

y route s durin

g period s of

construction
. ••-

. (d) Drainage control. In accordanc e wit h th e approved plan

— (1 ) Eac h primar y roa d shal l b e constructe d o r reconstructed , and maintaine d t o hav e adequate drainage control , usin g structures such as , bu tno t limite d to bridges , ditches , cros s drain s an d ditch relie f

drains
. Th e drainage control syste m shal l b e designe d t o safel y pas s th e peak runof f fro m a 10
- year , 6-hou

r o r greate r precipitatio n even tunles s otherwis e specifie d b y th e regulator y authority ; (2 ) Drainage pipe s an

d culvert s shal l b e installe d a s designed , and maintaine d i n a free and operatin g conditio n and t

o avoi d erosio n a

tinlets an d outlets ; (3 ) Drainage ditche s shal l b e constructe d an d maintaine d t o prevent uncontrolle d drainage ove r th e road surfac e and embankment ; (4) Culvert

s shal l b e installe d and maintaine d t o sustai n th e vertical soi l pressure , th e passiv e resistanc e o f th e foundation , an d th e weigh tof vehicle s usin g th e road; (5 ) Natura l strea m channel s shal l not b e altere d o r relocated withoutth e prior approva l o f th e regulatory authorit

y i n accordanc e wit

h applicabl e 8 8 616.4 1 throug h 816.4 3 and 816.5

7 o f thi s chapter ; an d (8 ) Excep ta s provided i n paragrap h (c)(2 ) of thi s section , structure s for perennia l o r intermitten

tstrea m channel crossing s shal l b e mad e usin g bridges , culverts , low-wate r crossings , or othe r structure s designed , constructe d and maintaine d usin g current

, pruden t engineerin g practices
. Th e regulatory authorit y shal l ensure tha

tlow-wate r crossing s are designed , constructe d and maintaine d t

o preventerosio n of

th e structur e o r streambe d and additional contribution s of

suspende d solid s t o streamflow
. (e ) Surfacing. Primar

y road s shal l b e surface d with materia

l approved b y th e regulatory authorit

y a s bein g sufficiently durabl e fo

r th e anticipate d volum e of traffi c an d tiie weigh tand spee d o f vehicle s usin g th e road.
PAR T 817—PERMANEN T PROGRA M PERFORMANC E STANDARDS UNDERGROUN D MININ G ACTIVITIE S 13
. Th e autiiorit

y citatio n fo r Par

t81 7 reads a s follows : : Authority : Pub

. L 85-87. « Sta t44

5 (S O U.S.C
. 120 1 et seq.) an d sec . 115
. Pub . L 98
- 146,9 7 Stat
. 93 8 (3 0 U.S.C
. 1257)
. unles

s otherwis e noted . .

- 14
. Sectio n 817.15 0 i s revise d t o read a s follows : 8817.15 0 Read * General

. (a ) Road classification system. (1 ) Eac h road , a s define d i n 8 701.5 o f thi s

### 4226 8 Federal Registe r / Vol . 52 , No . 21 2 /

Tuesday , Novembe r 3 , 198 7 / Propose d Rules P.1 3

chapter , shal l b e classifie d a s eithe r a primar y roa d o r a n ancillar

y road . - <2)
. A primar

y road i s an y road whic h is-r
- (i ) Use d for transporting coa l or spoil ; (ii ) Frequentl

y use d fo r acces s o r other purpose s fo

r a perio d i n exces s of

si x . months ; o r (iii ) To b e retained fo

r a n approved postmining lan d use . (3) A n ancillar

y road i s an

y road not classifie d a s a primar

y road . (b ) Performance standards. Eac h road shal l b e located , designed , constructed , reconstructed , used , maintaine d and reclaime d s o a s to : . ' (1 ) Contro l o r preventerosion , - - siltation , and th e ai r pollutio n attendant t o erosion , b y measure s such a s vegetating , watering , usin g chemical o r , othe r dustsuppressants o r otherwise " stabilizin g al l expose d surface s i n accordanc e wit

h currentpruden

t engineering practices ; (2 ) Contro l o r preventdamage t

o fish, wildlif e o r thei r habitatan d related environmenta

l values ; .

- (3 ) Contro

l of preventadditional contributions o

f suspende d solid s t

o strea m flo w o r runof f outsid e th e permi

t area ; ,

- (4 ) Neithe r caus e nor contribut e to . directly o r indirectly , th e violatio n o f Stat e o r Federa l wate r qualit

y standard s applicabl e t o receivin g waters ; - (5 ) Refrai n fro m seriousl y altering the norma l flow o f wate r i n streambed s o

r drainage channels ; -

• .. :

- ;• • •'-
- ••---. . (6T<Preven

to r contro l damag e t o -.

- publi c or . privat e property , including the preventio n or mitigatio n o f advers e . effects t o land s withi n th e boundarie s o f units o f th e National Par

k System , th e - Nationa l Wildlif e Refug e System , th e National Syste m o f

Trails , th e National Wildernes s Preservatio n System , th e Wil d an d Sceni c River

s System ,

. including designate d study rivers, and Nationa l Recreatio n Area s designate d b y Acto f Congress ; and (7) Us e nonacid
- or nontoxic-forming substance s i n road surfacing
. (c ) Design and

construction limits and establishment

of design criteria. T o ensur e environmenta

l protectio n appropriat

e fo r thei r planne d duration . and use , including consideratio n o f th e typ e and siz e of

equipmen

tused , tiie desig n and constructio n or - reconstructio n o f

roads Shal

l incorporat

e appropriat

e limits fo r grade , width , surface materials , surface drainag e control , culver

tplacemen tculver

tsize , tha twoul d b e i n accordanc e with - current , pruden tengineerin g practices , •.. an d an y necessar y desig n criteri a establishe d b y th e regulatory authority
. (d ) Location. (1 ) N o par

to f any road shal l b e locate d i n th e channel of .an . intermitten

to r perennia

l stream unles s specificall y approved b y th e regulator y authority
. '• -
,' (2 ) Road s shal l b e locate d t o minimize downstrea

m sedimentatio n and flooding
. "(e ) Maintenance. (1 ) A road shal l b e maintaine d t o meetthe performanc e standard s o

f thi s par tand any additiona l criteria specifie d by the regulatory authority
. (2 ) A road damaged b y a catastrophi c event , such a s a floo d o

r earthquake , shal l b e repaired a s soo n a s i s practicabl e afte

r th e damage ha s ' occurred . (f ) Reclamation. A roa

d nott o b e - retained unde

r a n approved postmining land us e shal l b e reclaimed i n accordanc e with th e approve d reclamation pla n immediately after iti s n o longer neede d fo

r minin g and reclamation operations
. Thi s - reclamatio n shal l include : (1 ) Closin g th e road t o traffic ; (2) Removing al l bridge s and culverts unles s approved a s par

tof th e postmining lan d use ; ,, . (3 ) Removing or otherwis e disposin g o f road-surfacing material s tha tar e - incompatibl e wit

h th e postminin g lan d us e and revegetatio n requirements ; (4 ) Reshaping cu

tan d fill slope s a s necessar y t

o b e compatibl e wit

h th e postmining lan d us e and t o complement th e natura

l drainage patter

n o f tiie surroundin

g terrain ;

. (5 ) Protecting th e natura l drainage patterns b y installin g dike s o r cros s - drain s a s necessar y t o contro l surface runof f and erosion ; and (6) Scarifying or ripping th e roadbed, replacing topsoi l o

r substitute materia

l an d revegetating disturbe d surface s i n accordanc e wit

h 8 8 817.2

2 and 817.11 1 throug h 817.11 6 of

thi s chapter . 15
. Sectio n 817.15 1 i s revised to read a s follows : 8 817.15 1 Primar

y roads . . ..

. • Primar y road s shal l meetth e requirements of

8 817.150 and th e additiona l requirement

s o f thi s section , (a) Certification. The constructio n o r reconstruction o

f primar y roads shal l b e certifie d i n a reportt

o th e regulator

y authorit y b y a qualifie d registere d professional engineer , o r i n any State whic h authorize s lan d surveyors t o • • certif y th e constructio n o r reconstruction of

primar y roads a qualifie d registered professional lan d surveyor , with experienc e i n th e desig n and constructio n o

f roads. The report shal l indicate tha

tth e primar

y road ha s bee n constructe d o r reconstructe d e s . designe d an d i n accordanc e with th e approve d plan . •. (b ) Safety factor. Eac h primar y roa d -embankmen

tshal l hav e a minimu

m -stati c safet

y facto r of

1.3
. (c ) Location. (1 ) To minimize erosion , a primar y roa d shal l b e located , insofar a s i s practicable , o

n the moststabl e availabl e surface
. (2) Fords o

f perennia l o r intermitten

t stream s b y primar

y road s ar

e prohibited unles s the y ar e specificall y approved b

y th e regulator

y authorit y a s temporar

y route s durin

g period s o

f construction
. (d ) Drainage control. I

n accordanc e with th e approved plan

— (1 ) Eac h primar y road shal l b e constructe d o

r reconstructed, and maintaine d t

o hav e adequat

e drainag e control , usin g structures such as , bu tnot limite d t o bridges , ditches , cros s drains and ditc h relie f drains
. The drainage control syste m shal l b e designe d t o safel y pas s th e pea

k runof f fro m a 10
- year , 6-hou

r or greate r precipitatio n even tunles s otherwis e specifie d b y th e regulator y authority ; (2 ) Drainag e pipe s and culvert

s shal l b e installe d a s designed , an d

. maintaine d i n a fre

e and operating - conditio n and t o avoi d erosio n atinlet s an d outlets ; (3 ) Drainag

e ditche s shal l b e constructe d and maintained t o preven t uncontrolle d drainage ove r th e roa d surface and embankment ; - (4) Culvert

s shal l b e installe d an

d maintaine d t o sustai n th e vertical soi l pressure , th e passiv e resistance o f the foundation , and th e weigh tof vehicle s usin g th e road; (5 ) Natura

l strea m channel s shal l not b e altere d o

r relocated withoutthe prio r approva l of th e regulatory authorit

y i n accordanc e wit

h applicabl e § 8 817.4 1 throug h 817.4 3 and 817.5

7 o f thi s chapter ; and (6) Excep ta s provide d i n paragrap h (c)(2 ) o f thi s section , structure

s fo r perennia l o r intermitten

tstrea m channe l crossing s shal l b e mad e using bridges , culverts , low-wate r crossings , o r other structures designed , constructe d an d maintaine d usin g current

, pruden t engineerin g practices
. Th e regulator y autiiorit y shal l ensur

e tha tlow-wate r crossing s ar

e designed , constructe d and maintaine d t

o preven terosio n o

f the structur e or streambe d and additional contribution s o

f suspende d solid s t

o streamflow
. (e ) Surfacing. Primar

y roads shal l b e surface d with materia

l approved by the regulatory authorit

y a s bein g sufficiently durable fo

r the anticipate d volume o f traffi c and the weigh tan

d spee d o f vehicle s usin g th e road. [F RDoc . 87-25379 Filed 11-2-87 ; 8:4 5 am ] BIUM O COO

E 4S10-0S- MP. 3

* •

^VIRON M ESTAL V PR 0 T E CT I O N

AO-NOY



## * / 

## 3 1989 CEMTRA L DOCKE T