Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2000/09/12/00-23378/texas-regulatory-program
Timestamp: 2017-09-25 14:25:53
Document Index: 217417972

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u200912', '§\u200912', '§\u200912', '§\u200912', '§\u200912', '§\u200912', '§\u200912', '§\u200912', '§\u200912', '§\u200912', '§\u200912', '§\u200912']

A Proposed Rule by the Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office on 09/12/2000
We will accept written comments until 4 p.m., c.d.t., October 12, 2000. If requested, we will hold a public hearing on the amendment on October 10, 2000. We will accept requests to speak at the hearing until 4 p.m., c.d.t. on September 27, 2000.
65 FR 54982
54982-54984 (3 pages)
00-23378
1. Backfilling and Grading: General Grading Requirements [§ 12.385 (surface) and § 12.552 (underground)]
2. Coal Processing Plants: Performance Standards [§ 12.651]
3. Procedures: Initial Processing, Record Keeping and Notification Requirements [§ 12.80]
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/00-23378 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/00-23378
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). Texas proposes revisions to and additions of regulations concerning remining, coal processing plants, and procedures for processing petitions to designate lands as unsuitable for mining. Texas intends to revise its program to be consistent with the corresponding Federal regulations.
Surface Mining and Reclamation Division, Railroad Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Capitol Station, P. O. Box 12967, Austin, Texas 78711-2967, Telephone: (512) 46-6900.
By letter dated August 24, 2000 (Administrative Record No. TX-650.01), 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 November 22, 1999 (Administrative Record No. TX-650), that we sent to Texas under 30 CFR 732.17(c). The amendment also includes changes made at Texas' own initiative. Texas proposes to amend the Texas Coal Mining Regulations. 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. Start Printed Page 54983
Texas proposes to add new sections that describe the backfilling and grading performance standards for previously mined areas.
Texas proposes to add new language to include cross references to topsoil requirements for coal processing plant reclamation.
a. At § 12.80(a)(1), Texas proposes to change the timeframe for determining whether an unsuitability petition is complete from 60 days to 30 days.
b. Texas proposes to remove § 12.80(a)(3) and to redesignate § 12.80(a)(4) through (a)(7) as § 12.80(a)(3) through (a)(6). Texas also proposes to add new language to redesignated § 12.80(a)(3) to expand the definition of “frivolous petition.”
c. Texas proposes to remove § 12.80(b)(2) that deals with discretionary hearings on petition completeness and to redesignate § 12.80(b)(3) as § 12.80(b)(2).
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-047-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 September 27, 2000. 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 Start Printed Page 54984section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 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. 00-23378 Filed 9-11-00; 8:45 am]