[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35805-35807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17526]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 901

[SPATS No. AL-065-FOR]


Alabama Regulatory Program

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

ACTION: Final rule; approval of amendment.

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SUMMARY: OSM is approving an amendment to the Alabama regulatory 
program (hereinafter referred to as the ``Alabama program'') under the 
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Alabama's 
revisions to and additions of statutes pertain to the small operator 
assistance program (SOAP), the repair of homes and other structures 
materially damaged by underground coal mining, and the replacement of 
affected water supplies. The amendments is intended to revise the 
Alabama program to be consistent with SMCRA.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Arthur W. Abbs, Director, Birmingham Field Office, Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 135 Gemini Circle, Suite 215, 
Homewood, Alabama 35209, Telephone: (205) 290-7282.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
I. Background on the Alabama Program
II. Submission of the Proposed Amendment
III. Director's Findings
IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments
V. Director's Decision
VI. Procedural Determinations

I. Background on the Alabama Program

    On May 20, 1982, the Secretary of the Interior conditionally 
approved the Alabama program. Background information on the Alabama 
program, including the Secretary's findings, the disposition of 
comments, and the conditions of approval can be found in the May 20, 
1982, Federal Register (47 FR 22062). Subsequent actions concerning the 
conditions of approval and program amendments can be found at 30 CFR 
901.15 and 901.16.

II. Submission of the Proposed Amendment

    By letter dated April 14, 1998 (Administrative Record No. AL-0579), 
Alabama submitted an amendment to its program pursuant to SMCRA. 
Alabama submitted the amendment in response to a May 20, 1996, letter 
(Administrative Record No. AL-0555) that OSM sent to Alabama in 
accordance with 30 CFR 732.17(c). OSM announced receipt of the 
amendment in the April 29, 1998, Federal Register (63 FR 23403), and in 
the same document opened the public comment period and provided an 
opportunity for a public hearing or meeting on the adequacy of the 
proposed amendment. The public comment period closed on May 29, 1998. 
Because no one requested a public hearing or meeting, none was held.

III. Director's Findings

    Set forth below, pursuant to SMCRA and the Federal regulations at 
30 CFR 732.15 and 732.17, are the Director's findings concerning the 
amendment.
    Revisions not specifically discussed below concern nonsubstantive 
wording changes, or revised cross-references and paragraph notations to 
reflect organizational changes resulting from this amendment.

A. Section 9-16-83. Permits; Fee

    1. Alabama proposed to revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:

    (c)(1) If the regulatory authority finds that the probable total 
annual production at all locations of any surface coal mining 
operator will not exceed 300,000 tons, the cost of the following 
activities, which shall be performed by a qualified public or 
private laboratory or such other public or private qualified entity 
designated by the regulatory authority, shall be assumed by the 
regulatory authority upon the written request of the operator in 
connection with a permit application, provided that funds are made 
available to the regulatory authority for such purposes by the 
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior.
    (A) The determination of probable hydrologic consequences 
required by subsection (b)(10), including the engineering analyses 
and designs necessary for the determination.
    (B) The development of cross-section maps and plans required by 
subsection (b)(13).
    (C) The geologic drilling and statement of results of test 
borings and core samplings required by subsection (b)(14).
    (D) The collection of archaeological information required by 
subsection (b)(12) and any other archaeological and historical 
information required by the regulatory authority, and the 
preparation of plans necessitated thereby.
    (E) Pre-blast surveys required by subsection 9-16-90(b)(15)e.
    (F) The collection of site-specific resource information and 
production of protection and enhancement plans for fish and wildlife 
habitats and other environmental values required by the regulatory 
authority under this Act.
    (2) The regulatory authority shall provide or assume the cost of 
training coal operators that meet the qualifications stated in 
paragraph (1) concerning the preparation of permit applications and 
compliance with the regulatory program, and shall ensure that 
qualified coal operators are aware of the assistance available under 
this subsection; provided that funds for such purposes are made 
available to the regulatory authority by the Secretary of the U.S. 
Department of Interior.

    The Director is approving this revision because it is no less 
stringent than section 507(c)(1) of SMCRA.
    2. Alabama proposed to add new paragraph (h) to read as follows:

    (h) A coal operator that has received assistance pursuant to 
subsection (c) (1) or (2) shall reimburse the regulatory authority 
for the cost of the services rendered if the program administrator 
finds that the operator's actual and attributed annual production of 
coal for all locations exceeds 300,000 tons during the 12 months 
immediately following the date on which the operator is issued the 
surface coal mining and reclamation permit.


[[Page 35806]]


    The Director is approving this revision because it is no less 
stringent than section 507(h) of SMCRA.

B. Section 9-16-91. Underground Coal Mining; Effects on Surface

    Alabama proposed to add new paragraph (e) to read as follows:

    (e) Underground coal mining operations conducted after the date 
of enactment of this section shall comply with each of the following 
requirements:
    (1) Promptly repair, or compensate for, material damage 
resulting from subsidence caused to any occupied residential 
dwelling and structure related thereto, or non-commercial building 
due to underground coal mining operations. Repair of damage shall 
include rehabilitation, restoration, or replacement of the damaged 
occupied residential dwelling and structures related thereto, or 
non-commercial building. Compensation shall be provided to the owner 
of the damaged occupied residential dwelling and structures related 
thereto or non-commercial building and shall be in the full amount 
of the diminution in value resulting from the subsidence. 
Compensation may be accomplished by the purchase, prior to mining, 
of a noncancellable premium-prepaid insurance policy.
    (2) Promptly replace any drinking, domestic, or residential 
water supply from a well or spring in existence prior to the 
application for a surface coal mining and reclamation permit, which 
has been affected by contamination, diminution, or interruption 
resulting from underground coal mining operations. Nothing in this 
section shall be construed to prohibit or interrupt underground coal 
mining operations.

    The Director is approving this revision because it is no less 
stringent than section 720 of SMCRA.

IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments

Public Comments

    OSM solicited public comments on the proposed amendment, but none 
were received.

Federal Agency Comments

    Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i), the Director solicited 
comments on the proposed amendment from various Federal agencies with 
an actual or potential interest in the Alabama program.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

    Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(ii), OSM is required to obtain the 
written concurrence of the EPA with respect to those provisions of the 
proposed program amendment that relate to air or water quality 
standards promulgated under the authority of the Clean Water Act (33 
U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) or the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) None 
of the revisions that Alabama proposed to make in this amendment 
pertain to air or water quality standards. Therefore, OSM did not 
request the EPA's concurrence.
    Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i), OSM solicited comments on the 
proposed amendment from the EPA (Administrative Record No. AL-0580). 
The EPA did not respond to OSM's request.

State Historical Preservation Officer (SHPO) and the Advisory Council 
on Historic Preservation (ACHP)

    Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17(h)(4), OSM is required to solicit 
comments on proposed amendments which may have an effect on historic 
properties from the SHPO and ACHP. OSM solicited comments on the 
proposed amendment from the SHPO and ACHP (Administrative Record No. 
AL-0580). The Alabama Historical Commission (Commission) responded in a 
letter dated May 5, 1998 (Administrative Record No. AL-0582). The 
Commission wanted to know who defines the terms ``known'' and 
``significant'' at section 9-16-83(b)(12) regarding archaeological 
sites and if the Alabama Surface Mining Commission (ASMC) or some other 
agency would pay for archaeological studies discussed at section 9-16-
83(c)(1). The Commission also wanted clarification on what it meant to 
``seal all portals'' at section 9-16-91(b)(2), and stated that there 
are historic portal facings which need to be preserved and that this 
issue needed to be more clearly addressed. In addition, at section 9-
16-91(b)(7), the Commission wanted to know if the proximity of 
culturally significant sites to mining activities should be of more 
concern in cases where adverse effects could come from a greater 
distance, i.e., blasting. Furthermore, at section 9-16-91(b)(10), it 
wanted to know if other surface impacts not specified in section 9-16-
91(b) would be subject to section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act of 1966 if the ASMC received a permit. Finally, the 
Commission felt that significant cultural resources should be addressed 
at section 9-16-91(c)(1) which pertains to protecting the stability of 
the land.
    Alabama did not propose to amend the above aforementioned sections 
of its statutes. In addition, these statute sections are substantially 
identical to the Federal statutes at sections 507 and 516 of SMCRA, 
and, therefore, are not inconsistent with the Federal requirement. In 
acting on State program amendments, the Director only addresses those 
sections of a State's laws and regulations where revisions are proposed 
by the State. However, OSM forwarded a copy of the Commission's 
comments to the ASMC for its consideration in future rulemaking.
    The Commission made one other comment pertaining to Alabama's 
amendment. It stated that section 9-16-83(c)(1)(d) needed to be 
clarified and that a possible agreement be developed between the 
Commission and the ASMC. Section 9-16-83(c)(1)(d) pertains to one 
activity that the ASMC can provide assistance for to eligible mine 
operators if a surface coal mining operator does not exceed a total 
annual production of 300,000 tons at all its coal mining locations, and 
provided that funds are made available to the ASMC for such purposes by 
the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior under the 
small operator assistance program (SOAP). The assistance allows the 
regulatory authority to obtain certain services on behalf of the 
operator to aid in the preparation of a permit application. This 
statute is substantially identical to the Federal statute at section 
507(c)(1)(D) of SMCRA, and is, therefore, not inconsistent with the 
Federal requirement. Any clarification or agreement that the Commission 
feels a need for must be discussed directly with the ASMC.

V. Director's Decision

    Based on the above findings, the Director approves the proposed 
amendment as submitted by Alabama on April 14, 1998.
    The Federal regulations at 30 CFR Part 901, codifying decisions 
concerning the Alabama program, are being amended to implement this 
decision. This final rule is being made effective immediately to 
expedite the State program amendment process and to encourage States to 
bring their programs into conformity with the Federal standards without 
undue delay. Consistency of State and Federal standards is required by 
SMCRA.

VI. Procedural Determinations

Executive order 12866

    This rule is exempted from review by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and 
Review).

Executive Order 12988

    The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required 
by section 3 of Executive order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) and has 
determined that, to the extent allowed by law, this rule meets the 
applicable standards of subsections (a) and (b) of that section.

[[Page 35807]]

However, these standards are not applicable to the actual language of 
State regulatory programs and program amendments since each such 
program is drafted and promulgated by a specific State, not by OSM. 
Under sections 503 and 505 of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1253 and 1255) and 30 
CFR 730.11, 732.15, and 732.17(h)(10), decisions on proposed State 
regulatory programs and program amendments submitted by the States must 
be based solely on a determination of whether the submittal is 
consistent with SMCRA and its implementing Federal regulations and 
whether the other requirements of 30 CFR Parts 730, 731, and 732 have 
been met.

National Environmental Policy Act

    No environmental impact statement is required for this rule since 
section 702(d) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1292(d)) provides that agency 
decisions on proposed State regulatory program provisions do not 
constitute major Federal actions within the meaning of section 
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 
4332(2)(C)).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain information collection requirements that 
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 
3507 et seq.).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior has determined that this rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). 
The State submittal which is the subject of this rule is based upon 
corresponding Federal regulations for which an economic analysis was 
prepared and certification made that such regulations would not have a 
significant economic effect upon a substantial number of small 
entities. Accordingly, this rule will ensure that existing requirements 
previously promulgated by OSM will be implemented by the State. In 
making the determination as to whether this rule would have a 
significant economic impact, the Department relied upon the data and 
assumptions for the corresponding Federal regulations.

Unfunded Mandates

    OSM has determined and certifies pursuant to the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq.) that this rule will not impose a 
cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local, state, or 
tribal governments or private entities.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 901

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: June 23, 1998.
Brent Wahlquist,
Regional Director, Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 30 CFR Part 901 is amended 
as set forth below:

PART 901--ALABAMA

    1. The authority citation for Part 901 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.

    2. Section 901.15 is amended in the table by adding a new entry in 
chronological order by ``Date of final publication'' to read as 
follows:


Sec. 901.15  Approval of Alabama regulatory program amendments.

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  Original amendment submission      Date of final         Citation/    
              date                    publication         description   
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                  *        *        *        *        *                 
April 14, 1998..................  July 6, 1998......  Code of Ala.      
                                                       Sections 9-16-   
                                                       83(c) and (h); 9-
                                                       16-91(e).        
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[FR Doc. 98-17526 Filed 6-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M