OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior

Search conducted by: Joyce Zweben Scall Page 1 of 4

COALEX SIGNIFICANT ISSUE REPORT - 346

October 1998

Interstate Mining Compact Commission

Herndon, VA

TOPIC: DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES AND REPLACEMENT OF WATER SUPPLIES

INQUIRY: Provide background on the Court's recent ruling on requirements for damage 

resulting from subsidence 

SEARCH RESULTS: This Report consists of a variety of materials relating to SMCRA 

section 720 which provides for repair or compensation for subsidence-related damage 

to structures and the replacement of water supplies affected by subsidence. 

The Energy Policy Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102-486 amended SMCRA by adding a new 

section 720. OSM's proposed rules on subsidence were published on September 24, 

1993 (58 FR 50174) and the final rules were published on March 31, 1995 (60 FR 

16722). Beginning in 1995, states began submitting proposed amendments to their 

existing regulatory programs to address section 720 and the OSM rules. The validity of 

the rules was upheld by U.S. District Court Judge William Bryant following a challenge 

by the coal industry (NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION v BABBITT, C.A. No. 95-

0938, decided May 29, 1998).

At the September, 1998 meeting of the Conference of Government Mining Attorneys 

(COGMA), Gregory Conrad, the Executive Director of the Interstate Mining Compact 

Commission (IMCC) presented a paper containing a comparison among the OSM rules, 

the court's findings and OSM/State discussions. The paper included an overview of 

state program amendments and implementation concerns. 

Copies of SMCRA section 720, Federal Register Notices relating to OSM rules and 

state program amendments, the court's decision, and Mr. Conrad's paper are attached.

ATTACHMENTS

A. 30 CFR section 720 (30 USC section 1309a). Subsidence. 

B. 58 FR 50174 (SEPTEMBER 24, 1995). Proposed rule. Underground mining 

permit application requirements and performance standards. 

C. 60 FR 16722 (MARCH 31, 1995). Final rule. Underground mining permit 

application requirements and performance standards. 

D. NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION v BABBITT, C.A. No. 95-0938 (D.C. D.C. 

Decided May 29, 1998). 
OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior

Search conducted by: Joyce Zweben Scall Page 2 of 4

E. "State Implementation of Subsidence Rules re. Damage to Structures and 

Replacement of Water Supplies", presented by Gregory Conrad, Executive 

Director of the IMCC, before COGMA (September 10, 1998). 

F. List of Federal Register Notices (from LEXIS) of proposed and final federal rules 

on subsidence, material damage or replacement of water supply. 

G. List of Federal Register Notices (from LEXIS) of proposed and final state 

program amendments on subsidence. 

H. ALABAMA 

a. 60 FR 20250 (APRIL 25, 1995). Proposed rule; extension of public 

comment period. 

b. 60 FR 38675 (JULY 28, 1995). Notice of decision. 

c. 63 FR 23403 (APRIL 29, 1998). Proposed rule; public comment period 

and opportunity for public hearing. 

d. 63 FR 35805 (JULY 1, 1998). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

e. 63 FR 45192 (AUGUST 25, 1998). Proposed rule; public comment period 

and opportunity for public hearing.

I. ALASKA 

a. 60 FR 38482 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision.

J. ARKANSAS 

a. 60 FR 38487 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision. 

b. 61 FR 19881 (MAY 3, 1996). Proposed rule; public comment period and 

opportunity for public hearing. 

c. 62 FR 23129 (APRIL 29, 1997). Final rule; approval of amendment.

K. COLORADO 

a. 60 FR 38491 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision. 

b. 60 FR 39773 (JULY 28, 1995). Proposed rule; public comment period and 

opportunity for public hearing on proposed amendment. 

c. 60 FR 64115 (DECEMBER 14, 1995). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

d. 61 FR 47722 (SEPTEMBER 10, 1996). Proposed rule; public comment 

period and opportunity for public hearing on proposed amendment. 

e. 61 FR 58800 (NOVEMBER 19, 1996). Proposed rule; public comment 

period and opportunity for public hearing on proposed amendment. 

f. 61 FR 59332 (NOVEMBER 22,1996). Final rule; approval of amendment.

L. ILLINOIS 

a. 60 FR 38677 (JULY 28, 1995). Notice of decision. 

b. 61 FR 26801 (MAY 29, 1996). Final rule; approval of amendment.

M. INDIANA 

a. 60 FR 16985 (APRIL 4, 1995). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

b. 60 FR 19669 (APRIL 20, 1995). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

c. 60 FR 38680 (JULY 28, 1995). Notice of decision. 

d. 60 FR 56515 (NOVEMBER 9, 1995). Final rule; approval of amendment 

[Excerpts]. 

e. 61 FR 26443 (MAY 28, 1996). Final rule; clarification/approval of 

amendment. 
OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior

Search conducted by: Joyce Zweben Scall Page 3 of 4

f. 62 FR 7189 (FEBRUARY 18, 1997). Proposed rule; public comment 

period and opportunity for public hearing on proposed amendment. 

g. 62 FR 44897 (AUGUST 25, 1997). Final rule; approval of amendment.

N. IOWA 

a. 60 FR 38496 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision. 

b. 61 FR 67967 (DECEMBER 26, 1996). Proposed rule; public comment 

period and opportunity for public hearing on proposed amendment. 

c. 62 FR 16490 (APRIL 7, 1997). Final rule; approval of amendment.

O. KANSAS (See Iowa) 

a. 60 FR 38496 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision. 

P. KENTUCKY 

a. 60 FR 33110 (JUNE 27, 1995). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

b. 60 FR 38682 (JULY 28, 1995). Notice of decision. 

c. 62 FR 46933 (SEPTEMBER 5, 1997). Proposed rule; public comment 

period and opportunity for public hearing on proposed amendment. 

d. 63 FR 45430 (AUGUST 26, 1998). Proposed rule; reopening of public 

comment period.

Q. LOUISIANA (See Arkansas) 

a. 60 FR 38487 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision.

R. MARYLAND 

a. 60 FR 38685 (JULY 28, 1995). Notice of decision.

S. MISSISSIPPI (See Alabama) 

a. 60 FR 20250 (APRIL 25, 1995). Proposed rule; extension of public 

comment period. 

b. 60 FR 38675 (JULY 28, 1995). Notice of decision.

T. MISSOURI (See Iowa) 

a. 60 FR 38496 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision.

U. MONTANA (See Alaska) 

a. 60 FR 38482 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision.

V. NEW MEXICO 

a. 60 FR 22332 (MAY 5, 1995). Proposed rule; public comment period and 

opportunity for public hearing on proposed amendment. 

b. 60 FR 38491 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision. (See Colorado) 

c. 61 FR 3625 (FEBRUARY 1, 1996). Proposed rule; public comment period 

and opportunity for public hearing on proposed amendment. 

d. 61 FR 26825 (MAY 29, 1996). Final rule; approval of amendment with one 

exception and additional requirements.

W. NORTH DAKOTA (See Alaska) 

a. 60 FR 38482 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision.

X. OHIO 

a. 60 FR 38500 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision.

Y. OKLAHOMA 

a. 60 FR 38487 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision. (See Arkansas) 

b. 61 FR 40369 (AUGUST 2, 1996). Proposed rule; public comment period 

and opportunity for public hearing on proposed amendment. 
OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

U.S. Department of the Interior

Search conducted by: Joyce Zweben Scall Page 4 of 4

c. 61 FR 49284 (SEPTEMBER 19, 1996). Proposed rule; reopening and 

extension of public comment period on proposed amendment. 

d. 61 FR 67213 (DECEMBER 20, 1996). Final rule; approval of amendment.

Z. PENNSYLVANIA 

a. 60 FR 38685 (JULY 28, 1995). Notice of decision. (See Maryland) 

b. 63 FR 45199 (AUGUST 25, 1998). Proposed rule; public comment period 

and opportunity for public hearing.

AA. TEXAS (See Arkansas) 

a. 60 FR 38487 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision.

BB. UTAH 

a. 60 FR 37002 (JULY 19, 1995). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

b. 60 FR 38491 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision. (See Colorado) 

c. 62 FR 41845 (AUGUST 4, 1997). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

d. 63 FR 17138 (APRIL 8, 1998). Proposed rule; public comment period and 

opportunity for public hearing.

CC. VIRGINIA 

a. 60 FR 38689 (JULY 29, 1995). Notice of decision. 

b. 61 FR 29506 (JUNE 11, 1996). Proposed rule; public comment period and 

opportunity for public hearing. 

c. 61 FR 38422 (JULY 24, 1996). Proposed rule; reopening of comment 

period. 

d. 61 FR 48110 (SEPTEMBER 12, 1996). Proposed rule; public comment 

period and opportunity for public hearing. 

e. 62 FR 16509 (APRIL 7, 1997). Proposed rule; reopening of comment 

period. 

f. 62 FR 60658 (NOVEMBER 12, 1997). Final rule; correction. 

g. 62 FR 48758 (SEPTEMBER 17. 1997). Final rule; approval of 

amendment.

DD. WEST VIRGINIA 

a. 60 FR 38691 (JULY 28, 1995). Notice of decision. 

b. 61 FR 6511 (FEBRUARY 21, 1996). Final rule; approval of amendment. 

c. 62 FR 31543 (JUNE 10, 1997). Proposed rule.

EE. WYOMING (See Alaska) 

a. 60 FR 38482 (JULY 27, 1995). Notice of decision.