Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2001/09/20/01-23504/texas-regulatory-program
Timestamp: 2017-08-22 00:04:50
Document Index: 150731226

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A Proposed Rule by the Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office on 09/20/2001
We will accept written comments until 4 p.m., c.d.t., October 22, 2001. If requested, we will hold a public hearing on the amendment on October 15, 2001. We will accept requests to speak at the hearing until 4 p.m., c.d.t. on October 5, 2001.
66 FR 48396
A. Section 12.3 Definitions
B. Section 12.71 Areas Where Mining Is Prohibited or Limited
C. Section 12.72 Procedures
D. Section 12.73 Responsibility
E. Section 12.77 Exploration on Land Designated as Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations
F. Section 12.111 General Requirements: Exploration of More Than 250 Tons
G. Section 12.112 Applications: Approval or Disapproval of Exploration of More Than 250 Tons
H. Section 12.113 Applications: Notice and Hearing for Exploration of More Than 250 Tons
I. Section 12.118 Relationship to Areas Designated Unsuitable for Mining
J. Section 12.151 and Section 12.191 Protection of Public Parks and Historic Places
K. Section 12.152 and Section 12.192 Relocation or Use of Public Roads
L. Section 12.158 Relationship to Areas Designated Unsuitable for Mining
M. Section 12.207 Public Notices of Filing of Permit Applications
N. Section 12.216 Criteria for Permit Approval or Denial
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/01-23504 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/01-23504
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Texas regulatory program (Texas program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Texas proposes revisions to regulations concerning valid existing rights. Texas intends to revise its program to be consistent with the corresponding Federal regulations.
This document gives the times and locations that the Texas program and the proposed amendment to that program are available for your inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.
You may review copies of the Texas program, the amendment, a listing of any scheduled public hearings, and all written comments received in response to this document at the addresses listed below during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. You may receive one free copy of the amendment by contacting OSM's Tulsa Field Office.
By letter dated July 25, 2001 (Administrative Record No. TX-653.02), Texas sent us an amendment to its program under SMCRA and the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 732.17(b). Texas sent the amendment in response to our letter dated August 23, 2000 (Administrative Record No. TX-653), that we sent to Texas under 30 CFR 732.17(c). Texas proposes to amend Title 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 12. Below is a summary of the changes proposed by Texas. The full text of the program amendment is available for your inspection at the locations listed above under ADDRESSES.
Texas proposes to:
1. Renumber the definitions in this section starting with the definition numbered (169),
2. Delete the definition of “surface coal mining operations which exist on the date of enactment,” and
3. Replace the definition of “valid existing rights” with a new definition of “valid existing rights.”
Texas proposes to revise the section title to read, “Areas where surface coal mining operations are prohibited or limited.” Texas also proposes to delete the existing language in this section and replace it with new language.
Texas proposes to revise the section title to read, “Procedures for compatibility findings, public road closures and relocations, buffer zones, and valid existing rights determinations.” Texas also proposes to delete the existing language in this section and replace it with new language.
1. Texas proposes to redesignate this section as new Section 12.74 Responsibility.
2. Texas proposes to revise the title of existing section 12.73 to read, “Commission obligations at time of permit application review.” Texas also proposes to add language in this section that establishes criteria for rejecting any portion of an application that would locate surface coal mining operations on protected lands and that establishes procedures for joint approval of mining operations that will adversely affect publicly owned parks or historic places.
1. Texas proposes to revise the section title to read, “Applicability and restrictions on exploration on land designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations.”
2. Texas proposes to designate the existing paragraph in this section as paragraph (b) Exploration restrictions.
3. Texas proposes to add a new paragraph (a) to read as follows:
(a) Applicability. Pursuant to appropriate petitions, lands listed in § 12.71(a) of this title (relating to Areas Where Surface Coal Mining Operations Are Prohibited Or Limited) are subject to designation as unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations under this Division and Division 4 of Subchapter F (relating to Lands Unsuitable for Mining).
Start Printed Page 48397
1. Texas proposes to revise the section title to read, “General requirements: Exploration that will remove more than 250 tons of coal or that will occur on lands designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations.”
2. Texas proposes to add new paragraph (1)(H) to read as follows:
(H) for any lands listed in § 12.71(a) of this title (relating to Areas Where Surface Coal Mining Operations Are Prohibited or Limited), a demonstration that, to the extent technologically and economically feasible, the proposed exploration activities have been designed to minimize interference with the values for which those lands were designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. The application must include documentation of consultation with the owner of the feature causing the land to come under the protection of § 12.71(a) of this title, and, when applicable, with the agency with primary jurisdiction over the feature with respect to the values that caused the land to come under the protection of § 12.71(a) of this title.
1. Texas proposes to revise the section title to read, “Applications: Approval or disapproval of exploration of more than 250 tons of coal or that will occur on lands designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations.”
2. Texas proposes to add new paragraph (b)(4) that reads as follows:
(4) with respect to exploration activities on any lands protected under § 12.71(a) of this title (relating to Areas Where Surface Coal Mining Operations Are Prohibited or Limited), minimize interference, to the extent technologically and economically feasible, with the values for which those lands were designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. Before making this finding, the Commission must provide reasonable opportunity to the owner of the feature causing the land to come under the protection of § 12.71(a) of this title, and, when applicable, to the agency with primary jurisdiction over the feature with respect to the values that caused the land to come under the protection of § 12.71(a) of this title, to comment on whether the finding is appropriate.
Texas proposes to add a phrase to paragraph (a) that requires the Commission to notify those who comment on the exploration permit application of the Commission's decision to approve or disapprove the application.
1. Texas proposes to revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
(a) Each application shall contain available information on whether the proposed permit area is within an area designated unsuitable for surface coal mining and reclamation or is within an area under study for designation in an administrative proceeding under §§ 12.74-12.77 of this title (relating to Criteria for Designating Areas as Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations) and §§ 12.78-12.85 of this title (relating to Process for Designating Areas as Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations).
2. Texas proposes to revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:
(c) If an applicant proposes to conduct surface coal mining activities within 100 feet of a public road or within 300 feet of an occupied dwelling, the application must meet the requirements of § 12.72(a) or (b) of this title (relating to Procedures For Compatibility Findings, Public Road Closures and Relocations, Buffer Zones, And Valid Existing Rights Determinations), respectively.
Texas proposes to delete the existing language in paragraphs (a)(2) and replace it with the following language:
(2) If a person has valid existing rights, as determined under § 12.72(c) of this title (relating to Procedures For Compatibility Findings, Public Road Closures and Relocations, Buffer Zones, And Valid Existing Rights Determinations), or if joint agency approval is to be obtained under § 12.73(d) of this title (relating to Commission Obligations at Time of Permit Application Review), to minimize adverse impacts.
Texas proposes to revise the existing language in the introductory paragraphs to read as follows:
Each application shall describe, with appropriate maps and cross sections, the measures to be used to ensure that the interests of the public and landowners affected are protected if, under § 12.72(a) of this title (relating to Procedures For Compatibility Findings, Public Road Closures and Relocations, Buffer Zones, And Valid Existing Rights Determinations), the applicant seeks to have the Commission approve:
(a) Each application shall contain available information on whether the proposed permit area is within an area designated unsuitable for surface coal mining and reclamation or is within an area under study for designation in an administrative proceeding under §§ 12.73-12.77 of this title (relating to Criteria for Designating Areas as Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations) and §§ 12.78-12.85 of this title (relating to Process for Designating Areas as Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations).
(c) A application that proposes to conduct surface coal mining activities within 100 feet of a public road or within 300 feet of an occupied dwelling must meet the requirements of § 12.72(a) or (b) of this title (relating to Procedures For Compatibility Findings, Public Road Closures and Relocations, Buffer Zones, And Valid Existing Rights Determinations), respectively.
Texas proposes to revise paragraph (a)(5) to read as follows:
(5) 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 § 12.72(a) of this title (relating to Procedures For Compatibility Findings, Public Road Closures and Relocations, Buffer Zones, And Valid Existing Rights Determinations), a concise statement describing the public road, the particular part to be relocated or closed, where the relocation or closure is to occur, and the duration of the relocation or closure.
Texas proposes to revise paragraphs (4)(A)-(E) and paragraph (5) to read as follows:
(4) the proposed permit area is:
(A) not included within an area designated unsuitable for surface coal mining operations under §§ 12.74-12.77 of this title (relating to Criteria for Designating Areas as Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations) and § 12.78-12.85 of this title (relating to Process for Designating Areas as Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations) or within an area subject to the prohibitions of § 12.71(a) of this title (relating to Areas Where Surface Coal Mining Operations Are Prohibited Or Limited); or
(B) not within an area under study for designation as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations or in an administrative proceeding begun under §§ 12.78-12.85 of this title (relating to Process for Designating Areas as Unsuitable for Surface Coal Mining Operations), unless the applicant demonstrates that, before January 4, 1977, he or she made substantial legal and financial commitments in relation to the operation for which he or she is applying for a permit; or
(C) not on any lands subject to the prohibitions or limitations of § 12.71(a)(1), (a)(6) or (a)(7) of this title; or
(D) not within 100 feet of the outside right-of-way line of any public road, except as Start Printed Page 48398provided for in § 12.72(a) of this title (relating to Procedures For Compatibility Findings, Public Road Closures and Relocations, Buffer Zones, And Valid Existing Rights Determinations); or
(E) not within 300 feet from any occupied dwelling, except as provided for in § 12.71(a)(5) of this title;
(5) the proposed operations will not adversely affect any properties listed on and eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, except as provided for in § 12.71(a)(3) of this title. This finding may be supported in part by inclusion of appropriate permit conditions, revisions in the operation plan, or a documented decision by the Commission that no additional protection measures are required under the National Historic Preservation Act;
Under the provisions of 30 CFR 732.17(h), we are seeking comments on whether the proposed amendment satisfies the applicable program approval criteria of 30 CFR 732.15. If we approve the amendment, it will become part of the Texas program.
Electronic Comments: Please submit Internet comments as an ASCII, WordPerfect, or Word file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Please also include “Attn: SPATS NO. TX-048-FOR” and your name and return address in your Internet message. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your Internet message, contact the Tulsa Field Office at (918) 581-6430.
Public Hearing: If you wish to speak at the public hearing, contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by 4 p.m., c.d.t. on October 5, 2001. We will arrange the location and time of the hearing with those persons requesting the hearing. If no one requests an opportunity to speak at the public hearing, the hearing will not be held.
Section 702(d) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1292(d)) provides that a decision on a proposed State regulatory program provision does not constitute a major Federal action within the meaning of section 102(2)(C) of the National Start Printed Page 48399Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). A determination has been made that such decisions are categorically excluded from the NEPA process (516 DM 8.4.A).
[FR Doc. 01-23504 Filed 9-19-01; 8:45 am]