Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?mc=true&node=pt30.3.773&rgn=div5
Timestamp: 2020-01-29 16:33:04
Document Index: 715010513

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', 'art 773', 'art 773', 'art 732', '§774', '§774', '§761', '§785', '§774', '§774', '§774', '§774', '§773', '§774', '§774', '§774', '§774', '§774', '§774', '§761', '§773', '§773', '§778', '§778', '§778', '§773', '§778', '§773', '§774', '§778', '§773', '§773', '§774', '§773', '§778', '§773', 'art 775', '§773', '§785', '§843', '§773', '§773', 'arts 764', 'arts 762', '§761', '§778', '§701', '§816', '§817', '§816', '§817', '§701', '§785', '§773', '§842', 'arts 840', '§701', '§778', '§774', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§843', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§773', '§774', '§842', '§840', '§773', '§773']

Title 30 → Chapter VII → Subchapter G → Part 773
§773.1 Scope and purpose.
§773.3 Information collection.
§773.4 Requirements to obtain permits.
§773.5 Regulatory coordination with requirements under other laws.
§773.6 Public participation in permit processing.
§773.7 Review of permit applications.
§773.8 General provisions for review of permit application information and entry of information into AVS.
§773.9 Review of applicant and operator information.
§773.10 Review of permit history.
§773.11 Review of compliance history.
§773.12 Permit eligibility determination.
§773.13 Unanticipated events or conditions at remining sites.
§773.14 Eligibility for provisionally issued permits.
§773.15 Written findings for permit application approval.
§773.16 Performance bond submittal.
§773.17 Permit conditions.
§773.19 Permit issuance and right of renewal.
§773.21 Initial review and finding requirements for improvidently issued permits.
§773.22 Notice requirements for improvidently issued permits.
§773.23 Suspension or rescission requirements for improvidently issued permits.
§773.25 Who may challenge ownership or control listings and findings.
§773.26 How to challenge an ownership or control listing or finding.
§773.27 Burden of proof for ownership or control challenges.
§773.28 Written agency decision on challenges to ownership or control listings or findings.
Source: 48 FR 44391, Sept. 28, 1983, unless otherwise noted.
Editorial Note: At 82 FR 54938, Nov. 17, 2017, as required by the Congressional Review Act and Public Law 115-5, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement removed all amendments to part 773 made effective on Jan. 19, 2017, at 81 FR 93323-93325, Dec. 20, 2016.
The collections of information contained in part 773 have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and assigned clearance number 1029-0115. The information collected will be used by the regulatory authority in processing surface coal mining permit applications. Persons intending to conduct surface coal mining operations must respond to obtain a benefit. A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Response is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with SMCRA. Send comments regarding burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Room 202—SIB, 1951 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20240.
(a) All operations. On and after 8 months from the effective date of a permanent regulatory program within a State, no person shall engage in or carry out any surface coal mining operations, unless such person has first obtained a permit issued by the regulatory authority except as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section. A permittee need not renew the permit if no surface coal mining operations will be conducted under the permit and solely reclamation activities remain to be done. Obligations established under a permit continue until completion of surface coal mining and reclamation operations, regardless of whether the authorization to conduct surface coal mining operations has expired or has been terminated, revoked, or suspended.
(b) Continuation of initial program operations. (1) If a State program receives final disapproval under part 732 of this chapter, including judicial review of the disapproval, existing surface coal mining and reclamation operations may continue pursuant to the provisions of subchapter B of this chapter and section 502 of the Act until promulgation of a complete Federal program for the State. During this period, no new permits for surface coal mining and reclamation operations shall be issued by the State. Permits that lapse during this period may continue in full force and effect within the specified permit area until promulgation of a Federal program for the State.
(2) Except for coal preparation plants separately authorized to operate under 30 CFR 785.21(e), a person conducting surface coal mining operations, under a permit issued or amended by the regulatory authority in accordance with the requirements of section 502 of the Act, may conduct such operations beyond the period prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section if—
(i) Not later than 2 months following the effective date of a permanent regulatory program, regardless of litigation contesting that program, an application for a permanent regulatory program permit is filed for any operation to be conducted after the expiration of 8 months from such effective date in accordance with the provisions of the regulatory program;
(c) Continued operations under Federal program permits. (1) A permit issued by the Director pursuant to a Federal program for a State shall be valid under any superseding State program approved by the Secretary.
(3) The State regulatory authority may review a permit issued pursuant to the superseded Federal program to determine that the requirements of the Act and the approved State program are not violated by the Federal permit, and to the extent that the approved State program contains additional requirements not contained in the Federal program for the State, the State regulatory authority shall—
(i) Inform the permittee in writing;
(d) Continued operations under State program permits. (1) A permit issued pursuant to a previously approved or conditionally approved State program shall be valid under a superseding Federal program.
(2) Immediately following promulgation of a Federal program, the Director shall review the permits issued under the previously approved State program to determine that the requirements of the Act, this chapter, and the Federal program are not violated. If the Director determines that a permit was granted contrary to the requirments of this Act, the Director shall—
Each regulatory program shall, to avoid duplication, provide for the coordination of review and issuance of permits for surface coal mining and reclamation operations with applicable requirements of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.); the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as amended (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.); The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.); the Bald Eagle Protection Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 668a); for Federal programs only, the Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 469 et seq.); and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470aa et seq.) where Federal and Indian lands covered by that Act are involved.
[52 FR 4262, Feb. 10, 1987. Redesignated at 65 FR 79663, Dec. 19, 2000, as amended at 81 FR 93323, Dec. 20, 2016; 82 FR 54937, Nov. 17, 2017]
(a) Filing and public notice. (1) Upon submission of an administratively complete application, an applicant for a permit, significant revision of a permit under §774.13, or renewal of a permit under §774.15, shall place an advertisement in a local newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation at least once a week for four consecutive weeks. A copy of the advertisement as it will appear in the newspaper shall be submitted to the regulatory authority. The advertisement shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
(v) If an applicant seeks a permit to mine within 100 feet of the outside right-of-way of a public road or to relocate or close a public road, except where public notice and hearing have previously been provided for this particular part of the road in accordance with §761.14 of this chapter; a concise statement describing the public road, the particular part to be relocated or closed, and the approximate timing and duration of the relocation or closing.
(vi) If the application includes a request for an experimental practice under §785.13, a statement indicating that an experimental practice is requested and identifying the regulatory provisions for which a variance is requested.
(2) The applicant shall make an application for a permit, significant revision under §774.13, or renewal of a permit under §774.15 available for the public to inspect and copy by filing a full copy of the application with the recorder at the courthouse of the county where the mining is proposed to occur, or an accessible public office approved by the regulatory authority. This copy of the application need not include confidential information exempt from disclosure under paragraph (d) of this section. The application required by this paragraph shall be filed by the first date of newspaper advertisement of the application. The applicant shall file any changes to the application with the public office at the same time the change is submitted to the regulatory authority.
(3) Upon receipt of an administratively complete application for a permit, a significant revision to a permit under §774.13, or a renewal of a permit under §774.15, the regulatory authority shall issue written notification indicating the applicant's intention to mine the described tract of land, the application number or other identifier, the location where the copy of the application may be inspected, and the location where comments on the application may be submitted. The notification shall be sent to—
(ii) All Federal or State governmental agencies with authority to issue permits and licenses applicable to the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation and which are part of the permit coordinating process developed in accordance with section 503(a)(6) or section 504(h) of the Act, or §773.5; or those agencies with an interest in the proposed operation, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service district office, the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers district engineer, the National Park Service, State and Federal fish and wildlife agencies, and the historic preservation officer.
(b) Comments and objections on permit applications. (1) Within a reasonable time established by the regulatory authority, written comments or objections on an application for a permit, significant revision to a permit under §774.13, or renewal of a permit under §774.15 may be submitted to the regulatory authority by public entities notified under paragraph (a)(3) of this section with respect to the effects of the proposed mining operations on the environment within their areas of responsibility.
(2) Written objections to an application for a permit, significant revision to a permit under §774.13, or renewal of a permit under §774.15 may be submitted to the regulatory authority by any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected by the decision on the application, or by an officer or head of any Federal, State, or local government agency or authority, within 30 days after the last publication of the newspaper notice required by paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Informal conferences. (1) Any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected by the decision on the application, or an officer or a head of a Federal, State, or local government agency, may request in writing that the regulatory authority hold an informal conference on the application for a permit, significant revision to a permit under §774.13, or renewal of a permit under §774.15. The request shall—
(iv) The requirements of section 5 of the Administrative Procedure Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 554), shall not apply to the conduct of the informal conference. The conference shall be conducted by a representative of the regulatory authority, who may accept oral or written statements and any other relevant information from any party to the conference. An electronic or stenographic record shall be made of the conference, unless waived by all the parties. The record shall be maintained and shall be accessible to the parties of the conference until final release of the applicant's performance bond or other equivalent guarantee pursuant to subchapter J of this chapter.
(4) Informal conferences held in accordance with this section may be used by the regulatory authority as the public hearing required under §761.14(c) of this chapter on proposed relocation or closing of public roads.
(d) Public availability of permit applications—(1) General availability. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) or (d)(3) of this section, all applications for permits; revisions; renewals; and transfers, assignments or sales of permit rights on file with the regulatory authority shall be available, at reasonable times, for public inspection and copying.
(3) Confidentiality. The regulatory authority shall provide procedures, including notice and opportunity to be heard for persons both seeking and opposing disclosure, to ensure confidentiality of qualified confidential information, which shall be clearly identified by the applicant and submitted separately from the remainder of the application. Confidential information is limited to—
(iii) Information on the nature and location of archeological resources on public land and Indian land as required under the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-95, 93 Stat. 721, 16 U.S.C. 470).
(a) The regulatory authority will review an application for a permit, revision, or renewal; written comments and objections submitted; and records of any informal conference or hearing held on the application and issue a written decision, within a reasonable time set by the regulatory authority, either granting, requiring modification of, or denying the application. If an informal conference is held under §773.6(c) of this part, the decision will be made within 60 days of the close of the conference.
(b) The applicant for a permit or revision of a permit shall have the burden of establishing that his application is in compliance with all the requirements of the regulatory program.
[48 FR 44391, Sept. 28, 1983, as amended at 65 FR 79663, Dec. 19, 2000; 72 FR 68029, Dec. 3, 2007; 81 FR 93323, Dec. 20, 2016; 82 FR 54937, Nov. 17, 2017]
(a) Based on an administratively complete application, we, the regulatory authority, must undertake the reviews required under §§773.9 through 773.11 of this part.
(b) We will enter into AVS—
(1) The information you are required to submit under §§778.11 and 778.12(c) of this subchapter.
(2) The information you submit under §778.14 of this subchapter pertaining to violations which are unabated or uncorrected after the abatement or correction period has expired.
(c) We must update the information referred to in paragraph (b) of this section in AVS upon our verification of any additional information submitted or discovered during our permit application review.
(a) We, the regulatory authority, will rely upon the information that you, the applicant, are required to submit under §778.11 of this subchapter, information from AVS, and any other available information, to review your and your operator's organizational structure and ownership or control relationships.
(b) We must conduct the review required under paragraph (a) of this section before making a permit eligibility determination under §773.12 of this part.
[65 FR 79663, Dec. 19, 2000, as amended at 72 FR 68029, Dec. 3, 2007; 75 FR 60275, Sept. 29, 2010]
(a) We, the regulatory authority, will rely upon the permit history information you, the applicant, submit under §778.12 of this subchapter, information from AVS, and any other available information to review your and your operator's permit histories. We must conduct this review before making a permit eligibility determination under §773.12 of this part.
(c) If you or your operator do not have any previous mining experience, we may conduct an additional review under §774.11(f) of this subchapter. The purpose of this review will be to determine if someone else with mining experience controls the mining operation.
(a) We, the regulatory authority, will rely upon the violation information supplied by you, the applicant, under §778.14 of this subchapter, a report from AVS, and any other available information to review histories of compliance with the Act or the applicable State regulatory program, and any other applicable air or water quality laws, for—
(2) Your operator;
(3) Operations you own or control; and
(4) Operations your operator owns or controls.
Based on the reviews required under §§773.9 through 773.11 of this part, we, the regulatory authority, will determine whether you, the applicant, are eligible for a permit under section 510(c) of the Act.
(a) Except as provided in §§773.13 and 773.14 of this part, you are not eligible for a permit if we find that any surface coal mining operation that—
(b) We will not issue you a permit if you or your operator are permanently ineligible to receive a permit under §774.11(c) of this subchapter.
(c) After we approve your permit under §773.15 of this part, we will not issue the permit until you comply with the information update and certification requirement of §778.9(d) of this subchapter. After you complete that requirement, we will again request a compliance history report from AVS to determine if there are any unabated or uncorrected violations which affect your permit eligibility under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section. We will request this report no more than five business days before permit issuance under §773.19 of this part.
(d) If you are ineligible for a permit under this section, we will send you written notification of our decision. The notice will tell you why you are ineligible and include notice of your appeal rights under part 775 of this subchapter and 43 CFR 4.1360 through 4.1369.
(a) You, the applicant, are eligible for a permit under §773.12 if an unabated violation—
(1) Occurred after October 24, 1992; and
(2) Resulted from an unanticipated event or condition at a surface coal mining and reclamation operation on lands that are eligible for remining under a permit that was held by the person applying for the new permit.
(b) For permits issued under §785.25 of this subchapter, an event or condition is presumed to be unanticipated for the purpose of this section if it—
(1) Arose after permit issuance;
(2) Was related to prior mining; and
(3) Was not identified in the permit application.
[65 FR 79663, Dec. 19, 2000, as amended at 73 FR 67630, Nov. 14, 2008]
(a) This section applies to you if you are an applicant who owns or controls a surface coal mining and reclamation operation with—
(1) A notice of violation issued under §843.12 of this chapter or the State regulatory program equivalent for which the abatement period has not yet expired; or
(3) You are pursuing a good faith—
(i) Challenge to all pertinent ownership or control listings or findings under §§773.25 through 773.27 of this part; or
(c) We will consider a provisionally issued permit to be improvidently issued, and we must immediately initiate procedures under §§773.22 and 773.23 of this part to suspend or rescind that permit, if—
(c) The proposed permit area is—
(1) Not within an area under study or administrative proceedings under a petition, filed pursuant to parts 764 and 769 of this chapter, to have an area designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations, unless the applicant demonstrates that before January 4, 1977, he has made substantial legal and financial commitments in relation to the operation covered by the permit application; or
(2) Not within an area designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations under parts 762 and 764 or 769 of this chapter or within an area subject to the prohibitions of §761.11 of this chapter.
(d) For mining operations where the private mineral estate to be mined has been severed from the private surface estate, the applicant has submitted to the regulatory authority the documentation required under §778.15(b) of this chapter.
(f) The applicant has demonstrated that any existing structure will comply with §701.11(d), and the applicable performance standards of subchapter B or K of this chapter.
(i) The applicant has, if applicable, satisfied the requirements for approval of a long-term, intensive agricultural postmining land use, in accordance with the requirements of §816.111(d) or §817.111(d).
(l) For a proposed remining operation where the applicant intends to reclaim in accordance with the requirements of §816.106 or §817.106 of this chapter, the site of the operation is a previously mined area as defined in §701.5 of this chapter.
(m) For permits to be issued under §785.25 of this chapter, the permit application must contain:
(n) The applicant is eligible to receive a permit, based on the reviews under §§773.7 through 773.14 of this part.
[48 FR 44391, Sept. 1983, as amended at 65 FR 79663, Dec. 19, 2000; 81 FR 93324, Dec. 20, 2016; 82 FR 54937, Nov. 17, 2017]
If the regulatory authority decides to approve the application, it shall require that the applicant file the performance bond or provide other equivalent guarantee before the permit is issued, in accordance with the provisions of subchapter J of this chapter.
[48 FR 44391, Sept. 28, 1983, as amended at 52 FR 4262, Feb. 10, 1987; 52 FR 17529, May 8, 1987; 53 FR 38890, Oct. 3, 1988; 54 FR 8991, Mar. 2, 1989; 59 FR 54353, Oct. 28, 1994; 60 FR 58491, Nov. 27, 1995; 62 FR 19458, Apr. 21, 1997; 64 FR 70837, Dec. 17, 1999; 65 FR 79663, Dec. 19, 2000. Redesignated at 65 FR 79663, Dec. 19, 2000; 66 FR 16127, Mar. 23, 2001]
(a) The permittee shall conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations only on those lands that are specifically designated as the permit area on the maps submitted with the application and authorized for the term of the permit and that are subject to the performance bond or other equivalent guarantee in effect pursuant to subchapter J of this chapter.
(b) The permittee shall conduct all surface coal mining and reclamation operations only as described in the approved application, except to the extent that the regulatory authority otherwise directs in the permit.
(c) The permittee shall comply with the terms and conditions of the permit, all applicable performance standards of the Act, and the requirements of the regulatory program.
(d) Without advance notice, delay, or a search warrant, upon presentation of appropriate credentials, the permittee shall allow the authorized representatives of the Secretary and the State regulatory authority to—
(1) Have the right of entry provided for in §§842.13 and 840.12 of this chapter; and
(2) Be accompanied by private persons for the purpose of conducting an inspection in accordance with parts 840 and 842, when the inspection is in response to an alleged violation reported to the regulatory authority by the private person.
(e) The permittee shall take all possible steps to minimize any adverse impact to the environment or public health and safety resulting from noncompliance with any term or condition or the permit, including, but not limited to—
(f) As applicable, the permittee shall comply with §701.11(d) and subchapter B or K of this chapter for compliance, modification, or abandonment of existing structures.
(g) The operator shall pay all reclamation fees required by subchapter R of this chapter for coal produced under the permit for sale, transfer or use, in the manner required by that subchapter.
[48 FR 44391, Sept. 28, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 27499, July 5, 1984; 54 FR 8991, Mar. 2, 1989; 62 FR 19459, Apr. 21, 1997; 65 FR 79663, Dec. 19, 2000; 81 FR 93324, Dec. 20, 2016; 82 FR 54937, Nov. 17, 2017]
(a) Decision. If the application is approved, the permit shall be issued upon submittal of a performance bond in accordance with subchapter J. If the application is disapproved, specific reasons therefore shall be set forth in the notification required by paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Notification. The regulatory authority shall issue written notification of the decision to the following persons and entities:
(3) If the regulatory authority is a State agency, the local OSM office.
(c) Permit term. Each permit shall be issued for a fixed term of 5 years or less, unless the requirements of §778.17 of this chapter are met.
(d) Right of renewal. Permit application approval shall apply to those lands that are specifically designated as the permit area on the maps submitted with the application and for which the application is complete and accurate. Any valid permit issued in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section shall carry with it the right of successive renewal, within the approved boundaries of the existing permit, upon expiration of the term of the permit, in accordance with §774.15.
(e) Initiation of operations. (1) A permit shall terminate if the permittee has not begun the surface coal mining and reclamation operation covered by the permit within 3 years of the issuance of the permit.
(2) The regulatory authority may grant a reasonable extension of time for commencement of these operations, upon receipt of a written statement showing that such an extension of time is necessary, if—
(4) Extensions of time granted by the regulatory authority under this paragraph shall be specifically set forth in the permit, and notice of the extension shall be made public by the regulatory authority.
(a) If we, the regulatory authority, have reason to believe that we improvidently issued a permit to you, the permittee, we must review the circumstances under which the permit was issued. We will make a preliminary finding that your permit was improvidently issued if, under the permit eligibility criteria of the applicable regulations implementing section 510(c) of the Act in effect at the time of permit issuance, your permit should not have been issued because you or your operator owned or controlled a surface coal mining and reclamation operation with an unabated or uncorrected violation.
(b) We will make a finding under paragraph (a) of this section only if you or your operator—
(1) Continue to own or control the operation with the unabated or uncorrected violation;
(2) The violation remains unabated or uncorrected; and
(3) The violation would cause you to be ineligible under the permit eligibility criteria in our current regulations.
(d) Within 30 days of receiving a notice under paragraph (c) of this section, you may challenge the preliminary finding by providing us with evidence as to why the permit was not improvidently issued under the criteria in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
(e) The provisions of §§773.25 through 773.27 of this part apply when a challenge under paragraph (d) of this section concerns a preliminary finding under paragraphs (a) and (b)(1) of this section that you or your operator currently own or control, or owned or controlled, a surface coal mining operation.
(1) After considering any evidence submitted under §773.21(d) of this part, we find that a permit was improvidently issued under the criteria in §773.21 paragraphs (a) and (b) of §773.21 of this part; or
(2) Your permit was provisionally issued under §773.14(b) of this part and one or more of the conditions in §§773.14(c)(1) through (4) exists.
(e) After we serve you with a notice of proposed suspension or rescission under this section, we will take action under §773.23 of this part.
(f) The regulations for service at §843.14 of this chapter, or the State regulatory program equivalent, will govern service under this section.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, we, the regulatory authority, must suspend or rescind your permit upon expiration of the time specified in §773.22(b) or (c) of this part unless you submit evidence and we find that—
(b) If you have requested administrative review of a notice of proposed suspension or rescission under §773.22(e) of this part, we will not suspend or rescind your permit unless and until the Office of Hearings and Appeals or its State counterpart affirms our finding that your permit was improvidently issued.
(c) When we suspend or rescind your permit under this section, we must—
You may challenge a listing or finding of ownership or control using the provisions under §§773.26 and 773.27 of this part if you are—
(a) Listed in a permit application or AVS as an owner or controller of an entire surface coal mining operation, or any portion or aspect thereof:
(b) Found to be an owner or controller of an entire surface coal mining operation, or any portion or aspect thereof, under §§773.21 or 774.11(g) of this subchapter; or
(c) An applicant or permittee affected by an ownership or control listing or finding.
[65 FR 79666, Dec. 19, 2000, as amended at 72 FR 68029, Dec. 3, 2007]
(a) To challenge an ownership or control listing or finding, you must submit a written explanation of the basis for the challenge, along with any evidence or explanatory materials you wish to provide under §773.27(b) of this part, to the regulatory authority, as identified in the following table.
(b) The provisions of this section and of §§773.27 and 773.28 of this part apply only to challenges to ownership or control listings or findings. You may not use these provisions to challenge your liability or responsibility under any other provision of the Act or its implementing regulations.
(a) When you challenge a listing of ownership or control, or a finding of ownership or control made under §774.11(g) of this subchapter, you must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that you either—
(b) In meeting your burden of proof, you must present reliable, credible, and substantial evidence and any explanatory materials to the regulatory authority. The materials presented in connection with your challenge will become part of the permit file, an investigation file, or another public file. If you request, we will hold as confidential any information you submit under this paragraph which is not required to be made available to the public under §842.16 of this chapter (when OSM is the regulatory authority) or under §840.14 of this chapter (when a State is the regulatory authority).
(c) Materials you may submit in response to the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section include, but are not limited to—
(1) Notarized affidavits containing specific facts concerning the duties that you performed for the relevant operation, the beginning and ending dates of your ownership or control of the operation, and the nature and details of any transaction creating or severing your ownership or control of the operation.
(2) Certified copies of corporate minutes, stock ledgers, contracts, purchase and sale agreements, leases, correspondence, or other relevant company records.
(3) Certified copies of documents filed with or issued by any State, municipal, or Federal governmental agency.
(4) An opinion of counsel, when supported by—
(i) Evidentiary materials;
(ii) A statement by counsel that he or she is qualified to render the opinion; and
(iii) A statement that counsel has personally and diligently investigated the facts of the matter.
(a) Within 60 days of receipt of your challenge under §773.26(a) of this part, we, the regulatory authority identified under §773.26(a) of this part, will review and investigate the evidence and explanatory materials you submit and any other reasonably available information bearing on your challenge and issue a written decision. Our decision must state whether you own or control the relevant surface coal mining operation, or owned or controlled the operation, during the relevant time period.
(b) We will promptly provide you with a copy of our decision by either—
(2) Any means consistent with the rules governing service of a summons and complaint under Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, or its State regulatory program counterparts.
(c) Service of the decision on you is complete upon delivery and is not incomplete if you refuse to accept delivery.
(e) Any person who receives a written decision under this section, and who wishes to appeal that decision, must exhaust administrative remedies under the procedures at 43 CFR 4.1380 through 4.1387 or, when a State is the regulatory authority, the State regulatory program counterparts, before seeking judicial review.
(f) Following our written decision or any decision by a reviewing administrative or judicial tribunal, we must review the information in AVS to determine if it is consistent with the decision. If it is not, we must promptly revise the information in AVS to reflect the decision.