[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 6910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3699]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

43 CFR Parts 3400, 3410, 3420, 3440, 3450, 3460, 3470, and 3480

[WO-320-1320-02-1A]
RIN 1004-AC37


Federal Coal Management Program Regulations

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is withdrawing the 
proposed rule to amend the Federal Coal Management Program regulations. 
The proposal was published in the Federal Register on July 12, 1991. 
BLM is taking this action because we plan to issue a new proposal for 
public comment. We will write the new proposal in plain, understandable 
language as required by Executive Order 12866 and the President's 
regulatory reform initiative. This action will also give commenters on 
the 1991 proposal an opportunity to update their concerns.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Radden-Lesage, Mining 
Engineer, Solid Minerals Group (WO-320), Bureau of Land Management, 
Mail Stop 501LS, 1849 ``C'' Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20240; 
telephone (202) 452-0350 (Commercial or FTS).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 12, 1991, BLM published a proposed 
rule to amend the Federal Coal Management Program regulations. See 56 
FR 32002-32048. We intended the proposed changes in part to simplify 
and streamline the existing regulations. The initial comment period was 
to close on September 12, 1991, but we extended it at the request of 
commenters an additional 30 days, closing on October 12, 1991.
    Shortly thereafter, the General Accounting Office began an 
investigation of the Federal coal leasing program that culminated in 
the issuance of a report, entitled ``Mineral Resources: Federal Coal-
Leasing Program Needs Strengthening'' (GAO/RCED-94-10). We responded to 
the report by issuing a proposed rule to amend the regulations 
pertaining to logical mining units (59 FR 66874, Dec. 28, 1994). This 
1994 proposal affected portions of the coal management regulations that 
had been proposed for reorganization, but not substantive change, under 
the 1991 proposal. We will soon complete work on the logical mining 
unit regulations and publish a final rule.
    In the meantime, the President issued Executive Order 12866 which 
requires each agency to put all information provided to the public in 
plain, understandable language. See 58 FR 51736, Oct. 4, 1993. Further, 
in his February 21, 1995, message on regulatory reform, the President 
directed agencies to carry out a review of their regulations to reduce 
the regulatory burden on the American people. Therefore, we have 
decided to withdraw the 1991 proposal. We plan to issue a new proposal 
for public comment in the near future. This action will also give 
commenters on the 1991 proposal a chance to update any concerns or 
suggestions which they may have regarding BLM's coal management 
regulations based on changes in the coal industry since 1991.

    Dated: February 5, 1997.
Bob Armstrong,
Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 97-3699 Filed 2-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P