64988 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 242 / Monday, December 17, 2001 / Notices

Disability. The Secretary of Labor has

been designated as Task Force Chair.

Notice of Meeting Including

Specifications as to Time and Place

An open meeting of the Task Force

will take place on Monday, January 28,

2002 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the U.

S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street,

NW., Washington, DC 20062.

Agenda Items

This being the first Task Force

meeting since the introduction of the

President’s New Freedom Initiative, the

agenda will include: (1) Reports on the

implementation of the President’s New

Freedom Initiative to date, (2)

discussion of the interagency

coordination needed to expand upon

the New Freedom Initiative, (3) future

actions departments or agencies will

undertake to further the goals of the

New Freedom Initiative, and (4) a

demonstration of assistive technology

products.

Special Accommodations

Any individuals wishing to attend the

Task Force meeting who need special

accommodations or require further

information should contact Mr. Paul

Bennett at 202/693–4939 (voice), 202/

693–4929 (fax), or 202/693–4920 (TTY)

by Friday, January 18, 2001.

Signed in Washington, DC, this 7th day of

December, 2001.

William R. McKinnon,

Acting Executive Director, Presidential Task

Force on Employment of Adults with

Disabilities.

[FR Doc. 01–30986 Filed 12–14–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–23–P

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Summary of Decisions Granting in

Whole or in Part Petitions for

Modification

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health

Administration (MSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice of affirmative decisions

issued by the Administrators for Coal

Mine Safety and Health and Metal and

Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health on

petitions for modification of the

application of mandatory safety

standards.

SUMMARY: Under section 101 of the

Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of

1977, the Secretary of Labor (Secretary)

may allow the modification of the

application of a mandatory safety

standard to a mine if the Secretary

determines either that an alternate

method exists at a specific mine that

will guarantee no less protection for the

miners affected than that provided by

the standard, or that the application of

the standard at a specific mine will

result in a diminution of safety to the

affected miners.

Final decisions on these petitions are

based upon the petitioner’s statements,

comments and information submitted

by interested persons, and a field

investigation of the conditions at the

mine. MSHA, as designee of the

Secretary, has granted or partially

granted the requests for modification

listed below. In some instances, the

decisions are conditioned upon

compliance with stipulations stated in

the decision. The term ‘‘FR Notice’’

appears in the list of affirmative

decisions below. The term refers to the

Federal Register volume and page

where MSHA published a notice of the

filing of the petition for modification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Petitions and

copies of the final decisions are

available for examination by the public

in the Office of Standards, Regulations,

and Variances, MSHA, Room 627, 4015

Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia

22203. Contact Barbara Barron at 703–

235–1910.

Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 10th day

of December 2001.

David L. Meyer,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations,

and Variances, Enclosures.

Affirmative Decisions on Petitions for

Modification

Docket No.: M–2000–104–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 58819.

Petitioner: West Ridge Resources, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.901

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use an

alternative method of grounding a diesel

generator. The petitioner proposes to

use a 480-volt, wye connected, 320 KW

portable diesel powered generator for

utility power and to move electrically

powered mining equipment in and

around the mine. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

West Ridge Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for the 480-

volt, three-phase, 320KW diesel

powered generator (DPG) set, Serial No.

31545, used to supply power to a 400

KVA autotransformer and three-phase

480- and 995-volt power circuits for the

West Ridge Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–113–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 58820.

Petitioner: Blue Mountain Energy, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.350.

Summary of Findings: Petitioner’s

proposal is to use air coursed through

conveyor belt entries to ventilate

working places. The petitioner proposes

to install a carbon monoxide monitoring

system as an early warning fire

detection system in all belt entries used

to course intake air to a working place.

This is considered an acceptable

alternative method for the Deserado

Mine. MSHA grants the petition for

modification for the Deserado Mine

with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–118–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 58821.

Petitioner: West Ridge Resources, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1002–

1(a)

Summary of Findings: Petitioner’s

proposal is to use nonpermissible lowvoltage or battery-powered electronic

testing and diagnostic equipment within

150 feet of pillow workings, and limited

to laptop computers, oscilloscopes,

vibration analysis machines, cable fault

detectors, point temperature probes,

infrared temperature devices and

recorders, pressures and flow

measurements devices, signal analyzer

devices, ultrasonic thickness gauges,

electronic component testers, and

electronic tachometers. Other testing

and diagnostic equipment may be used

if approved by the District Manager.

This is considered an acceptable

alternative method for the West Ridge

Mine. MSHA grants the petition for

modification for the use of low-voltage

or battery-powered nonpermissible

electronic testing and diagnostic

equipment within 150 feet of pillar

workings at the West Ridge Mine with

conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–125–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 64261.

Petitioner: Snyder Coal Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1405.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use bar and

pin or link and pin couplers on

underground haulage equipment. This

is considered an acceptable alternative

method for the Rattling Run Slope Mine.

MSHA grants the petition for

modification for the Rattling Run Slope

Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–126–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 64261.

Petitioner: Three W–M Coal

Company.

Regulation Affected: 75.1400(c).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use stronger

rope and secondary safety rope

connections in place of safety catches or

other no less effective devices on a slope

conveyance (gunboat) in transporting

persons. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Orchard Slope Mine. MSHA grants the

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 242 / Monday, December 17, 2001 / Notices 64989

petition for modification for the Orchard

Slope Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–128–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 64261.

Petitioner: Girdner Mining Company,

Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.380(f)(4)(i).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use one

twenty-or two ten-pound portable

chemical fire extinguishers on each

Mescher Jeep, to have the fire

extinguishers readily accessible to the

equipment operator, to instruct the

equipment operator to inspect each fire

extinguisher on a daily basis and

replace all defective fire extinguishers

prior to entering the mine, and to

maintain records of all inspections. This

is considered an acceptable alternative

method for the Mine No. 1. MSHA

grants the petition for modification for

the Mine No. 1 with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–131–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 64262.

Petitioner: Mountain Coal Company,

L.L.C.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1002.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use highvoltage (2,400-volt) cables within 150

feet of pillar workings for continuous

miners. This is considered an acceptable

alternative method for the West Elk

Mine. MSHA grants the petition for

modification for the West Elk Mine with

conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–134–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 64262.

Petitioner: Aracoma Coal Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1002.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use 4,160-volt

longwall mining system. This is

considered an acceptable alternative

method for the Aracoma Alma Mine No.

1. MSHA grants the petition for

modification for the Aracoma Alma

Mine No. 1 with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–139–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 75974.

Petitioner: R & R Coal Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.335.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use wooden

materials of moderate size and weight to

construct seals, due to the difficulty in

accessing previously driven headings

and breasts containing inaccessible

abandoned workings. This is considered

an acceptable alternative method for the

R & R Coal Company Mine. MSHA

grants the petition for modification for

the R & R Coal Company Mine with

conditions.

Docket No.: M–2001–140–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 75974.

Petitioner: R & R Coal Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.1200(d) and (i).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use crosssections in lieu of contour lines,

limiting the mapping of mines above or

below this mine to those within 100 feet

of the vein being mined. This is

considered an acceptable alternative

method for the R & R Coal Company

Mine. MSHA grants the petition for

modification for the R & R Coal

Company Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2001–141–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 75974.

Petitioner: R & R Coal Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1202–

1(a).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to revise and

supplement mine maps annually

instead of every six (6) months, and to

update the maps daily by hand

notations. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the R

& R Coal Company Mine. MSHA grants

the petition for modification for the R &

R Coal Company Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–148–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 75975.

Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine Buck

Drift.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 49.2(b).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to reduce its

mine rescue teams to two teams with

three members and one alternate for

either team instead of two teams with

five members and one alternate each.

This is considered an acceptable

alternative method for the Buck Drift

Mine. MSHA grants the petition for

modification for the Buck Drift Mine

with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–149–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 75975.

Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine Buck

Drift.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.335(a)(1).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use wooden

materials of moderate size and weight to

construct seals due to the difficulty in

accessing previously driven headings

and breasts containing inaccessible

abandoned workings. This is considered

an acceptable alternative method for the

Buck Drift Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for the Buck

Drift Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2001–151–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 75975.

Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine Buck

Drift.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.1200(d) and (i).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use crosssections in lieu of contour lines,

limiting the mapping of mines above or

below this mine to those within 100 feet

of the vein being mined. This is

considered an acceptable alternative

method for the Buck Drift Mine. MSHA

grants the petition for modification for

the Buck Drift Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–152–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 75975.

Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine Buck

Drift.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1202–

1(a).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to revise and

supplement mine maps annually

instead of every six(6) months, and

update the maps daily by hand

notations. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Buck Drift Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for the Buck

Drift Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–154–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 75976.

Petitioner: Canyon Fuel Company,

LLC.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.350.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use belt air to

ventilate active working places. This is

considered an acceptable alternative

method for the Skyline Mine No. 3.

MSHA grants the petition for

modification to allow air coursed

through conveyor belt haulage entries to

be used to ventilate working places at

the Skyline Mine No. 3 with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–156–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 75976.

Petitioner: Oxbow Carbon and

Minerals, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.701.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use an

alternative method of grounding a diesel

generator. The petitioner proposes to

use a 480-volt, wye connected, 260 KW

portable diesel powered generator for

utility power and to move electrically

powered mining equipment in and

around the mine. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Sanborn Creek Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for the 480-

volt, three-phase, 260KW/325KVA

diesel powered generator (DPG) set,

Serial No. 31475–1/01, used to supply

power to a three-phase wye connected

300 KVA auto-transformer and threephase 480-volt and 995-volt power

circuits for the Sanborn Creek Mine

with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–157–C.

FR Notice: 65 FR 75976.

Petitioner: Oxbow Carbon and

Minerals, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.901.

64990 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 242 / Monday, December 17, 2001 / Notices

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use an

alternative method of grounding a diesel

generator. The petitioner proposes to

use a 480-volt, wye connected, 260 KW

portable diesel powered generator for

utility power and to move electrically

powered mining equipment in and

around the mine. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Sanborn Creek Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for the 480-

volt, three-phase, 260KW/325KVA

diesel powered generator (DPG) set,

Serial No. 31475–1/01, used to supply

power to a three-phase wye connected

300 KVA transformer and three-phase

480-volt and 995-volt power circuits for

the Sanborn Creek Mine with

conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–158–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18660.

Petitioner: Newtown Energy, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.350.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use belt air to

ventilate active working places. The

petitioner proposes to install a low-level

carbon monoxide monitoring system as

an early warning fire-detection system

all belt entries used to course air to a

working place. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Eagle Mine No. 1. MSHA grants the

petition for modification to allow air

coursed through conveyor belt entries to

be used to ventilate working places for

the Eagle Mine No. 1 with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–159–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18660.

Petitioner: G & P Contractors, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.380(f)(4)(i).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use two tenpound portable chemical fire

extinguishers on each Mescher Jeep, to

have the fire extinguishers readily

accessible to the equipment operator, to

instruct the equipment operator to

inspect each fire extinguisher daily

prior to entering the mine and replace

all fire extinguishers that are defective.

This is considered an acceptable

alternative method for the Powers

Branch Mine. MSHA grants the petition

for modification for the Powers Branch

Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–160–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18660.

Petitioner: G & P Contractors, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.342.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use hand-held

methane and oxygen indicators instead

of machine-mounted methane monitors

on three-wheel tractors with drag

bottom buckets. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Powers Branch Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification to use handheld continuous multi-gas detectors for

the Mescher permissible three-wheel

battery-powered tractors used to load

coal at the Powers Branch Mine with

conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–161–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18660.

Petitioner: Rosebud Mining Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1100–

2(e)(2).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use two (2)

fire extinguishers or one fire

extinguisher of twice the required

capacity at all temporary electrical

installations instead of using 240

pounds of rock dust. This is considered

an acceptable alternative method for the

Clementine Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for the

temporary electrical installations

provided the petitioner maintains two

portable fire extinguishers having at

least the minimum capacity specified

for a portable fire extinguisher in 30

CFR 75.1100–1(e) at each of the

temporary electrical installations for the

Clementine Mine.

Docket No.: M–2001–162–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18660.

Petitioner: Penn American Coal L.P.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.350.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use air

ventilating the belt entry and associated

entries in common with the belt, to

ventilate a working section or sections.

The petitioner proposes to install a

carbon monoxide monitoring system as

an early warning fire detection system

in all belt entries used to ventilate active

working places. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Burrell Mine. MSHA grants the petition

for modification for the Burrell Mine

with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–163–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18660.

Petitioner: T.J.S. Mining, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1100–

2(e)(2).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use two (2)

fire extinguishers or one fire

extinguisher of twice the required

capacity at all temporary electrical

installations instead of using 240

pounds of rock dust. This is considered

an acceptable alternative method for the

T.J.S. #1 Mine, T.J.S. No. 4 Mine,

Darmac #3 Mine, and Darmac #2 Mine.

MSHA grants the petition for

modification for the temporary electrical

installations provided the Petitioner

maintains two portable fire

extinguishers having at least the

minimum capacity specified for a

portable fire extinguisher in 30 CFR

75.1100–1(e) at each of the temporary

electrical installations for the T.J.S. #1

Mine, T.J.S. No. 4 Mine, Darmac #3

Mine, and Darmac #2 Mine.

Docket No.: M–2000–166–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18661.

Petitioner: Straight Fork Mining, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.503

(18.41(f) of Part 18).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use a

permanently installed spring-loaded

device on mobile battery-powered

equipment to prevent unintentional

loosening of battery plugs from battery

receptacles instead of using padlocks.

This is considered an acceptable

alternative method for the Skullfork

Mine. MSHA grants the petition for

modification for the Skullfork Mine

with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–167–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18661.

Petitioner: Big Ridge, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to plug oil and

gas wells and then mine in close

proximity or through the plugged wells

using the specific procedures outlined

in its petition for modification. This is

considered an acceptable alternative

method for the Willow Lake Portal

Mine. MSHA grants the petition for

modification for mining through or near

(whenever the safety barrier diameter is

reduced to a distance less than the

District Manager would approve

pursuant to Section 75.1700) plugged oil

or gas wells penetrating the Illinois No.

5 seam and other minable coal seams at

the Willow Lake Portal Mine with

conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–168–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18661.

Petitioner: D & R Coal Company, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.342.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use handheld, continuous-duty methane and

oxygen indicators on three-wheel

tractors with drag bottom buckets

instead of using machine-mounted

monitors. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Mine No. 2. MSHA grants the petition

for modification for the Mescher

permissible three-wheel batterypowered tractors used to load coal in

the Mine No. 2 with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–169–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18661.

Petitioner: D & R Coal Company, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.380(f)(4)(i).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to install two

five-pound or one ten-pound portable

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 242 / Monday, December 17, 2001 / Notices 64991

chemical fire extinguisher in the

operator deck of each Mescher tractor,

to have the fire extinguishers readily

accessible to the equipment operator, to

instruct the equipment operator to

inspect each fire extinguisher on a daily

basis and replace all defective fire

extinguishers prior to entering the mine,

and to maintain records of all

inspections. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Mine No. 2. MSHA grants the petition

for modification for Mescher threewheel tractors to be operated in the

primary intake escapeway at the Mine

No. 2 with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–170–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 9724.

Petitioner: Aracoma Coal Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to plug and mine

through oil or gas wells using the

specific procedures outlined in this

petition for modification. This is

considered an acceptable alternative

method for the Aracoma Alma Mine No.

1. MSHA grants the petition for

modification for mining through or near

(whenever the safety barrier diameter is

reduced to a distance less than the

District Manager would approve

pursuant to Section 75.1700) plugged oil

or gas wells penetrating the Alma Coal

Seam and other minable coal seams at

the Aracoma Alma Mine No. 1 with

conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–173–C.

FR Notice: 66 FR 18661.

Petitioner: Penn View Mining, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1100–

2(e)(2).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use two (2)

fire extinguishers or one fire

extinguisher of twice the required

capacity at all temporary electrical

installations instead of using 240

pounds of rock dust. This is considered

an acceptable alternative method for the

Penn View Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for the

temporary electrical installations

provided the petitioner maintains two

portable fire extinguishers having at

least the minimum capacity specified

for portable fire extinguisher in 30 CFR

75.1100–1(e) at each of the temporary

electrical installations for the Penn

View Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–1999–044–C.

FR Notice: 64 FR 32553.

Petitioner: Energy West Mining

Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.326

(Now 75.350 and 75.352).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to amend the

Decision and Order (D&O) for its

previously granted petition for

modification because the requirements

in the previous D&O have proven to be

outdated due to changes in

circumstances that originally supported

the terms and conditions of the D&O.

This is considered an acceptable

alternative method for the Deer Creek

Mine. MSHA grants the petition for

modification to the Deer Creek Mine for

a two-entry mining system, based on

compliance with the stipulations from

the original D&O as modified and

supplemented by additional special

terms and conditions.

Docket No.: M–1999–046–C.

FR Notice: 64 FR 32554.

Petitioner: Twentymile Coal

Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.500(d).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use lowvoltage or battery operated nonpermissible electronic testing and

diagnostic equipment into and inby the

last open crosscut and in its continuous

miner development sections. This is

considered an acceptable alternative

method for the Foidel Creek Mine.

MSHA grants the petition for

modification, under controlled

conditions, for the Foidel Creek Mine

upon compliance with the terms and

conditions.

Docket No.: M–1999–095–C.

FR Notice: 64 FR 57662.

Petitioner: Wabash Mine Holding

Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.332(a)(2).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to use two

continuous miners within the same split

of air. The petitioner proposes to allow

one continuous miner to clean up the

working face cut it previously mined

while a second continuous miner on the

section starts to cut and load coal from

another working face on the same

working section, all on the same single

split of intake air. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Wabash Mine. MSHA grants the petition

for modification for the Wabash Mine

with conditions.

Docket No.: M–1999–122–C.

FR Notice: 64 FR 70732.

Petitioner: McElroy Coal Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.364(b)(1).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to conduct

weekly examinations of designated

monitoring stations instead of traveling

and conducting weekly examinations in

certain intake and return entries of the

McElroy Mine. The petitioned areas are

the same as those already granted

modifications of the standard (old

standard 30 CFR 75.305 for weekly

examinations now addressed under 30

CFR 75.364) to allow daily evaluations

of unsafe-for-travel aircourse segments

at monitoring stations in lieu of travel

in previous Proposed Decisions and

Orders (PDOs) Docket Number M–91–

078–C issued June 16, 1992; Docket

Number M–92–142–C issued June 2,

1993; and Docket Number M–93–007–C

issued October 28, 1993, and Amended

December 8, 1997. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

McElroy Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for evaluation

of one unsafe-for-examination intake

aircourse segment and two unsafe-fortravel segments of designated return

aircourses, one of which includes the B

North Mine seals near the Fish Creek air

shaft for the McElroy Mine with

conditions.

Docket No.: M–1999–123–C.

FR Notice: 64 FR 70732.

Petitioner: Blue Mountain Energy, Inc.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.500(d).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is use low-voltage

non-permissible electronic testing or

diagnostic equipment in or inby the last

open crosscut. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Deserado Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for the use of

low voltage or battery powered nonpermissible electronic testing and

diagnostic equipment taken into or inby

the last open crosscut for the Deserado

Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–1999–150–C.

FR Notice: 64 FR 5701.

Petitioner: Perry County Mining

Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

75.364(b)(1).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to establish four

check points in certain areas of the

intake aircourse as air measurement

stations, due to deteriorating roof

conditions. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Eas No. 1 Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for the

examination of approximately 5,600 feet

of unsafe-to-travel intake aircourse

beginning in the mains inby the Big

Creek Fan and into the Rolls Mains to

allow effective evaluation of air flow

quantity and quality entering and

leaving the petitioned, unsafe-for-travel,

intake aircourse segment of for the Eas

No. 1 Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–007–M.

FR Notice: 65 FR 58821.

Petitioner: Sierra Minerals

Corporation.

64992 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 242 / Monday, December 17, 2001 / Notices

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR

57.17010.

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to eliminate the

use of cap lamp during daylight hours

at its quarry operation because there is

enough natural lighting in all working

areas of the quarry to provide

illumination under all operating

conditions and for safe exit from the

working areas and that quarry work is

done only in daylight hours. The

petitioner will use cap lamps if it is

necessary to extend work into hours of

darkness. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Yule Quarry Mine. MSHA grants the

petition for modification for the Yule

Quarry Mine with conditions.

Docket No.: M–2000–009–M.

FR Notice: 65 FR 64262.

Petitioner: Echo Bay Minerals

Company.

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 49.8(b).

Summary of Findings: The

petitioner’s proposal is to participate in

the Central Mine Rescue (CMR) of

Wallace, Idaho, which consists of four

training sessions per year, once per

quarter, for the team in addition to

annual Refresher and Competition

training. This is considered an

acceptable alternative method for the

Echo Bay Minerals, Kettle River

Operations, comprised of the K–2 Mine

Site, and the Lamefoot Mine Site.

MSHA grants the petition for

modification with conditions provided

that all mine rescue members receive at

least 40 hours of refresher training

annually, that any member that is

unable to attend a training session make

up that training within the 30 days

following the session missed or the

mine rescue member will not be eligible

until that training is made up.

[FR Doc. 01–30941 Filed 12–14–01; 8:45 am].

BILLING CODE 4510–43–P

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Petitions for Modification

The following parties have filed

petitions to modify the application of

existing safety standards under section

101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and

Health Act of 1977.

1. Wabash Mine Holding Company

[Docket No. M–2001–098–C]

Wabash Mine Holding Company, One

Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th

Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.332(a)(2)

(working sections and working places)

to its Wabash Mine (I.D. No. 11–00877)

located in Wabash County Illinois. The

petitioner requests that Item 29 of the

Proposed Decision and Order for its

previously granted petition for

modification, docket number M–1999–

095–C be amended to permit the

scrubber system to be operational and

maintained to provide 6,500 cfm instead

of 7,500 cfm of output capacity while

cleanup is being performed. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at

least the same measure of protection as

the existing standard.

2. Hopkins County Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M–2001–099–C]

Hopkins County Coal, LLC, P.O. Box

711, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431 has

filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(2)

(weekly examination) to its Island Mine

No. 1 (I.D. No. 15–17515) located in

Hopkins County, Kentucky. The

petitioner requests a modification of the

standard to permit evaluation points (A,

inby and B, outby) in lieu of traveling

approximately 75 feet of the return air

course. The petitioner states that due to

deteriorating roof conditions, traveling

the affected area would be unsafe. The

petitioner proposes to: (1) Establish

evaluation points outby the #3 entry at/

near spad #22+21/3 and inby at/near

spad #23+21/3, to provide ingress/

egress to the outby evaluation point (B)

at crosscut #43 and to provide ingress/

egress to the inby evaluation point (A)

at crosscut #51; (ii) post signs in

strategic locations that would direct

personnel to each evaluation point; and

(iii) have a certified person examine the

evaluation points on a weekly basis to

determine methane and oxygen

concentrations, quantity of air, and to

determine if the air is moving in the

proper direction and record the results

of the examinations in a book

maintained on the surface. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at

least the same measure of protection as

the existing standard.

3. San Juan Coal Company

[Docket No. M–2001–100–C]

San Juan Coal Company, P.O. Box

561, Waterflow, New Mexico 87421 has

filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.362(d)(2) (onshift examination) to its San Juan South

Mine (I.D. No. 29–02170) and San Juan

Deep Mine (I.D. No. 29–02201) both

located in San Juan County, New

Mexico. The petitioner proposes to: (i)

Equip each continuous miner with a

General Monitor S800 Methane Monitor

with detection sensors near the cutter

drum and one sensor on each side of the

machine; (ii) equip each roof-bolting

machine with a General Monitors S800

Methane Monitor that would have

detection sensors on ATRS for a total of

one sensor; and (iii) to conduct tests

every twenty minutes at the operator’s

station while operating the roof-bolting

machine on or inby the last open

crosscut. The petitioner states that the

methane monitor would provide a

visual alert when the methane

concentration reaches 1 percent and

provide automatic shutdown when the

methane concentration reaches 2

percent at any of the sensors, the

monitors would provide continuous

monitoring of the methane content

rather than just testing every twenty

minutes and would test for methane

near the roof where methane is likely to

be found, the monitors would calibrated

with a known concentration of methane

at intervals not to exceed 31 days, and

that calibration would be performed by

a certified person. The petitioner asserts

that the proposed alternative method

would provide at least the same

measure of protection as the existing

standard.

4. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC

[Docket No. M–2001–101–C]

Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, P.O. Box

1029, Wellington, Utah 84542 has filed

a petition to modify the application of

30 CFR 75.500(d) (permissible electric

equipment) to its Dugout Canyon Mine

(I.D. No, 42–01890) located in Carbon

County, Utah. The petitioner proposes

to use the following non-permissible

low-voltage or battery powered

electronic testing and diagnostic

equipment inby the last open crosscut:

Lap top computers, oscilloscopes,

vibration analysis machines, cable fault

detectors, point temperature probes,

infrared temperature devices and

recorders, pressure and flow

measurement devices, signal analyzer

devices, ultrasonic thickness gauges,

electronic component testers, and

electronic tachometers, and may use

other testing and diagnostic equipment

if approved by the District Office. The

petitioner states that all other tests and

diagnostic equipment use in or inby the

last open crosscut will be permissible.

The petitioner has listed in this petition

for modification specific procedures

that would be followed when using this

equipment. The petitioner asserts that

the proposed alternative method would

provide at least the same measure of

protection as the existing standard.