[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 199 (Monday, October 16, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53569-53572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25561]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
30 CFR Part 943
[SPATS No. TX-025-FOR]
Texas Regulatory Program
AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM),
Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; public comment period and opportunity for public
hearing.
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SUMMARY: OSM is announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Texas
regulatory program (hereinafter the ``Texas program'') under the
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). The
proposed amendment consists of the recodification of the Texas Surface
Coal Mining and Reclamation Act. The proposed amendment is intended to
reclassify and rearrange the statutes into a format that will
accommodate future expansion of the law and to eliminate repealed,
invalid, and duplicative provisions in order to make the statutes more
understandable and usable without altering the meaning or effect of the
law.
DATES: Written comments must be received by 4 p.m., c.s.t., November
15, 1995. If requested, a public hearing on the proposed amendment will
be held on November 13, 1995. Requests to speak at the hearing must be
received by 4 p.m., c.s.t., on October 31, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests to speak at the hearing should
be mailed or hand delivered to Mr. Jack R. Carson, Acting Director,
Tulsa Field Office, at the address listed below.
Copies of the Texas program, the proposed amendment, a listing of
any scheduled public hearings, and all written comments received in
response to this document will be available for public review at the
addresses listed below during normal business hours, Monday through
Friday, excluding holidays. Each requester may receive one free copy of
the proposed amendment by contacting OSM's Tulsa Field Office.
Jack R. Carson, Acting Director, Tulsa Field Office, Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 5100 East Skelly Drive, Suite 470,
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74135-6547, Telephone: (918) 581-6430.
Railroad Commission of Texas, Surface Mining and Reclamation Division,
1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 12967, Austin, Texas, 78711-2967,
Telephone: (512) 463-6900.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Jack R. Carson, Acting Director, Tulsa Field Office, Telephone:
(918) 581-6430.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background on the Texas Program
On February 16, 1980, the Secretary of the Interior conditionally
approved the Texas program. General background information on the Texas
program, including the Secretary's findings, the disposition of
comments, and the conditions of approval can be found in the February
27, 1980, Federal Register (45 FR 12998). Subsequent actions concerning
the Texas program can be found at 30 CFR 943.10, 943.15, and 943.16.
II. Description of the Proposed Amendment
By letter dated August 24, 1995 (Administrative Record No. TX-594),
Texas submitted a proposed amendment to its program pursuant to SMCRA.
Texas submitted the proposed amendment at its own initiative. The
proposed amendment concerns recodification of the Texas Surface Coal
Mining and Reclamation Act (TSCMRA) as enacted by Senate Bill (SB) 959,
74th Texas Legislature (1995). SB 959 codified, with revisions, the
TSCMRA at Chapter 134 of Title 4, Natural Resources Code, and it
repealed Article 5920-11, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, with the
exception of sections 11 (b), (c), and (d). Substantive revisions which
pertain to the approved Texas program are discussed below.
1. Recodification
The substantive provisions in Article 5920-11, TSCMRA, sections 1
through 38, with the exception of sections 3(2), 3(7), 11(b)-(d),
18(d), 27(c), 34(b), and 35(4) are proposed to be recodified at Chapter
134 of Title 4, Natural Resources Code, TSCMRA, sections 134.001
through 134.188. Listed below are the existing Article 5920-11 section
numbers with the new corresponding Chapter 134 section numbers.
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Article 5920-11 Section Chapter 134 Section
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1...................................... 134.001.
2(1)-(5)............................... 134.002.
2(5)(A)-(F)............................ 134.003.
3(1)................................... 134.004(2).
3(3)-(6)............................... 134.004(3)-(6)
3(8)-(15).............................. 134.004(8)-(15)
3(16)-(18)............................. 134.004(18)-(20)
3(19).................................. 134.004(16)
4(a)................................... 134.012(a)(1).
4(b)................................... 134.012(a)(2), (b)-(c).
4(c)................................... 134.188
5...................................... 134.011.
6...................................... 134.013.
7...................................... 134.141.
8(a)................................... 134.144.
8(b)................................... 134.143.
8(c)................................... 134.145.
8(d)................................... 134.146, 147.
8(e)................................... 134.148, 149.
9(a)................................... 134.150.
9(b)................................... 134.151.
10..................................... 134.152.
11(a).................................. 134.051.
12(a).................................. 134.071, 073
12(b).................................. 134.072.
13(a).................................. 134.074, 075.
13(b).................................. 134.075(c).
13(c).................................. 134.076.
13(d).................................. 134.077, 078.
14(a)(1)-(a)(15)....................... 134.052, 012(d).
14(a) (16)............................. 134.031(a).
14(b).................................. 134.031(b).
15(1)-(13)............................. 134.041.
15(14)................................. 134.031(c)
16..................................... 134.042.
17..................................... 134.057.
18(a)-(b).............................. 134.054(a)-(c).
18(c).................................. 134.055
19..................................... 134.056.
20(a).................................. 134.058, 059, 060.
20(b).................................. 134.061.
20(c).................................. 134.062(a).
20(d).................................. 134.062(b).
20(e).................................. 134.063.
20(f).................................. 134.064.
21(a).................................. 134.065.
21(b).................................. 134.066, 067, 012(d).
21(c).................................. 134.068, 069.
21(d).................................. 134.070.
22(a).................................. 134.079, 080, 081, 076(a).
22(b).................................. 134.083.
[[Page 53570]]
22(c).................................. 134.082(a).
23(a).................................. 134.091.
23(b).................................. 134.092(a).
23(b)(1)-(2)........................... 134.092(a) (1)-(2).
23(b)(3)............................... 134.092(a)(3), 093, 094.
23(b)(4)............................... 134.092(a)(4).
23(b)(5)............................... 134.092(a)(5), 095.
23(b)(6)............................... 134.092(a)(6).
23(b)(7)............................... 134.092(a)(7), 096 097.
23(b)(8)............................... 134.092(a)(8).
23(b)(9)............................... 134.092(a)(9), 098.
23(b)(10).............................. 134.092(a)(10), 099.
23(b)(11).............................. 134.092(a)(11).
23(b)(12).............................. 134.092(a)(12), 100.
23(b)(13).............................. 134.092(a)(13), 092(b).
23(b)(14).............................. 134.092(a)(14).
23(b)(15).............................. 134.092(a)(15), 101.
23(b)(16).............................. 134.092(a)(16), 102.
23(b)(17)-(18)......................... 134.092(a)(17)-(18).
23(b)(19).............................. 134.092(a)(19), 103.
23(b)(20).............................. 134.092(a)(20), 104, 105.
23(b)(21).............................. 134.092(a)(21).
23(b)(22).............................. 134.092(a)(22), 106.
23(b)(23)-25........................... 134.092(a)(23)-(25).
23(c).................................. 134.107.
23(d).................................. 134.108.
23(e).................................. 134.109.
24..................................... 134.052(19), 053.
25(a).................................. 134.121, 122.
25(b).................................. 134.125, 126.
25(c).................................. 134.123, 124.
25(d).................................. 134.127.
26(a).................................. 134.128, 129.
26(b).................................. 134.130, 132(a).
26(c).................................. 134.131.
26(d).................................. 134.132(b).
26(e).................................. 134.133.
26(f).................................. 134.134.
27(a), (d)............................. 134.014.
27(b).................................. 134.031(d).
28..................................... 134.015.
29(a).................................. 134.026.
29(b).................................. 134.029.
29(c).................................. 134.027.
29(d).................................. 134.030.
29(e).................................. 134.028.
29(f).................................. 134.007.
30(a).................................. 134.174.
30(b).................................. 134.175.
30(c).................................. 134.176.
30(d).................................. 134.178.
30(e).................................. 134.179.
30(f).................................. 134.177.
30(g).................................. 134.181.
30(h).................................. 134.180.
31(a).................................. 134.182(a).
31(b).................................. 134.183(a)-(c).
31(c)(A)............................... 134.183(d).
31(c)(B)............................... 134.182(d).
31(d)(1)............................... 134.184.
31(d)(2)............................... 134.185.
31(e).................................. 134.186.
31(f).................................. 134.187.
31(g).................................. 134.182(b) and (c), 184.
32(a).................................. 134.161, 163.
32(b).................................. 134.162, 163.
32(c)(1)............................... 134.168, 169.
32(c)(2)............................... 134.170.
32(c)(3)............................... 134.171.
32(c)(4)............................... 134.164(b) and (d).
32(c)(5)............................... 134.172.
32(d).................................. 134.164(a) and (b).
32(e).................................. 134.165, 166, 167.
32(f).................................. 134.173.
33(a).................................. 134.016.
33(b).................................. 134.020, 021.
33(c).................................. 134.017, 018.
33(d).................................. 134.019.
33(e).................................. 134.022.
34(a).................................. 134.023.
35(1)-(3).............................. 134.005.
36..................................... 134.024.
37(a).................................. 134.006.
37(b).................................. 134.110.
38..................................... 134.025.
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2. All references to the Texas Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation
Act are proposed to be changed from ``Act'' to ``chapter'' throughout
the recodified statutes.
3. All references to the ``Administrative procedure and Texas
Register Act, as amended'' are proposed to be changed to ``Chapter
2001, Government Code'' throughout the recodified statutes.
4. Chapter 134, Section 134.004 (Article 5920-11, Sec. 3), Definitions
a. Texas is proposing to define ``Affected person'' at Chapter 134,
section 134.004(1), as meaning ``a person having an interest that is or
may be affected.'' Accordingly, all references to ``a person having an
interest that is or may be affected'' are proposed to be changed to
``affected person'' throughout the recodified statutes.
b. Texas is proposing to remove its definition for ``Applicant'' at
existing Article 5920-11, section 3(2). Therefore, this definition is
not proposed to be recodified.
c. Texas is proposing to remove the language ``and water
impoundments may be permitted if the commission determines that they
are in compliance with Section 23(b)(8) of this Act'' from the
definition of ``Approximate original contour,'' which is recodified at
Chapter 134, section 134.004(3) (existing Article 5920-11, section
3(3)).
d. Texas is proposing to remove its definition for ``Eligible land
and water'' at existing Article 5920-11, section 3(7). Therefore, this
definition is not proposed to be recodified.
e. Texas is proposing to define ``Federal Act'' at Chapter 134,
section 134.004(7), as meaning ``the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. Section 1201 et seq.).''
Consequently, all references to SMCRA are proposed to be changed to
``federal Act'' throughout the recodified statutes.
f. At Chapter 134, section 134.004(13) [existing Article 5920-11,
section 3(13)], Texas is proposing to change the term ``permittee'' to
``permit holder.'' Accordingly, all references to ``permittee'' are
proposed to be changed to ``permit holder'' throughout the recodified
statutes.
g. Texas proposes to change the term ``Secretary'' to ``Secretary
of agriculture'' at Chapter 134, section 134.004(16) [existing Article
5920-11, section 3(19)]. Consequently, all references to ``secretary''
are proposed to be changed to ``secretary of agriculture'' throughout
the recodified statutes.
h. Texas proposes to define ``Secretary of the interior'' as
meaning ``the secretary of the United States Department of the
Interior.'' Accordingly, all references to ``the secretary of the
United States Department of the Interior'' are proposed to be changed
to ``the secretary of the interior'' throughout the recodified
statutes.
5. Chapter 134, Sec. 134.012 and 134.188 (Article 5920-11, Sec. 4, as
Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Legislature and Acts 1985, 69th
Legislature), Jurisdiction
At Chapter 134, section 134.012(a)(2), (b), and (c) and section
134.188 [Article 5920-11, section 4(b) and (c), as amended by Acts
1983, 68th Legislature and Acts 1985, 69th Legislature], Texas proposes
to add provisions for jurisdiction of the commission over iron ore, and
iron ore gravel mining and reclamation operations. Section
134.012(a)(2) [Article 5920-11, section 4(b), as amended] would provide
for exclusive jurisdiction over iron ore and iron ore gravel mining and
reclamation operations in the State of Texas. Section 134.012(b)
[Article 5920-11, section (4)(b), as amended] would provide for Chapter
134 to govern these operations to the extent it can be made applicable.
Section 134.012(c) [Article 5920-11, section 4(1) and (2), as amended]
would provide for exceptions for iron ore and iron ore gravel mining
and reclamation activity in progress on or before September 1, 1985 or
for iron ore and iron ore gravel mining operation and reclamation
activity that is conducted solely on real property owned in fee simple
by the person authorizing the operation or reclamation activity and
that is confined to a single, contiguous tract of land if the activity
is conducted in an area not larger than 20 acres, the depth of the
mining operation is restricted to 30 inches or less, and the fee simple
owner receives surface damages. Section 134.188 [Article 5920-11,
section 4(c), as amended] would
[[Page 53571]]
provide that it is a defense to a civil or criminal penalty under
Chapter 134 that a person allegedly conducting an iron ore or iron ore
gravel mining and reclamation operation in violation of Chapter 134 has
a written general warranty of ownership of land, separate from any
lease, from the person authorizing the operation./
6. At Chapter 134, section 134.057(b) [existing Article 5920-11,
section 17(b)], Texas is proposing to add a new provision that
specifies that subsection (b) does not apply to records, reports,
inspection materials, or information that is confidential under section
134.031.
7. Chapter 134, Sections 134.054 and 134.055 (Existing Article 5920-11,
Section 18, as Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Legislature and Acts 1985,
69th Legislature), Application Fees
a. At Chapter 134, section 134.054(b) [Article 5920-11, section
18(b), as amended (old section 18(a)], Texas proposes to change its
minimum initial application fee for a permit from $1,000 to $5,000,
require a minimum application fee of $3,000 for renewal of a permit,
and require a minimum application fee of $500 for revision of a permit.
b. Texas proposes to remove the provision at Article 5920-11,
section 18(d), as amended (old section 18(b)), that requires an
application fee to be deposited in the state treasury and credited to
the general revenue fund. Therefore, this provision is not proposed to
be recodified at Chapter 134.
c. At Chapter 134, section 134.054(c) [Article 5920-11, section
18(b), as amended], Texas proposes to allow initial application fees
and renewal application fees to be paid in equal annual installments
during the term of the permit.
d. Texas proposes to add a new provision at Chapter 134, section
134.055 [Article 5920-11, section 18(c), as amended], that requires a
permit holder to pay the commission an annual fee, in an amount
determined by the commission, for each acre of land in the permit area
on which the permit holder actually conducted operations for removing
coal during the year; the fee is due by March 15 of the year following
the year of the removal operations; and the minimum fee is $120 an
acre.
8. Texas proposes to remove the provision in existing Article 5920-
11, section 21(c), that requires an applicant to file a schedule
listing notices of violation ``of any department or agency in the
United States.'' Therefore, this provision is not proposed to be
recodified at Chapter 134.
9. Texas proposes to remove the provision at existing Article 5920-
11, section 27(c), that requires persons who conduct coal exploration
operations that substantially disturb the natural land surface in
violation of its statutes or rules to be subject to its civil penalty
provisions. Therefore, this provision is not proposed to be recodified
at Chapter 134.
10. Texas proposes to remove the provision at existing Article
5920-11, section 34(b), that requires any agency, unit, or
instrumentality of federal, state, or local government, including any
publicly owned utility or publicly owned corporation of federal, state,
or local government, that proposes to engage in surface coal mining
operations that are subject to the requirements of TSCMRA to comply
with all provisions of TSCMRA. Therefore, this provision is not
proposed to be recodified at Chapter 134.
11. Texas proposes to remove the provision at existing Article
5920-11, section 35(4), that exempts from the provisions of TSCMRA the
extraction of coal incidental to the extraction of other minerals where
the coal does not exceed 16\2/3\ percent of the total tonnage of coal
and other minerals removed annually for purposes of commercial use or
sale or coal explorations subject to TSCMRA. Therefore, this provision
is not proposed to be recodified at Chapter 134, section 134.005.
III. Public Comment Procedures
In accordance with the provisions of 30 CFR 732.17(h), OSM is
seeking comments on whether the proposed amendment satisfies the
applicable program approval criteria of 30 CFR 732.15. If the amendment
is deemed adequate, it will become part of the Texas program.
Written Comments
Written comments should be specific, pertain only to the issues
proposed in this rulemaking, and include explanations in support of the
commenter's recommendations. Comments received after the time indicated
under DATES or at locations other than the Tulsa Field Office will not
necessarily be considered in the final rulemaking or included in the
Administrative Record.
Public Hearing
Persons wishing to speak at the public hearing should contact the
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by 4:00 p.m.,
c.s.t., on October 31, 1995. The location and time of the hearing will
be arranged with those persons requesting the hearing. If no one
requests an opportunity to speak at the public hearing, the hearing
will not be held.
Filing of a written statement at the time of the hearing is
requested as it will greatly assist the transcriber. Submission of
written statements in advance of the hearing will allow OSM officials
to prepare adequate responses and appropriate questions.
The public hearing will continue on the specified date until all
persons scheduled to speak have been heard. Persons in the audience who
have not been scheduled to speak, and who wish to do so, will be heard
following those who have been scheduled. The hearing will end after all
persons scheduled to speak and persons present in the audience who wish
to speak have been heard.
Any disabled individual who has need for a special accommodation to
attend a public hearing should contact the individual listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Public Meeting
If only one person requests an opportunity to speak at a hearing, a
public meeting, rather than a public hearing, may be held. Persons
wishing to meet with OSM representatives to discuss the proposed
amendment may request a meeting by contacting the person listed under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All such meetings will be open to the
public and, if possible, notices of meetings will be posted at the
locations listed under ADDRESSES. A written summary of each meeting
will be made a part of the Administrative Record.
IV. 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 12778
The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required
by section 2 of Executive Order 12778 (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.
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
[[Page 53572]]
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
counterpart 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 counterpart Federal regulations.
List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 943
Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.
Dated: October 3, 1995.
Brent Wahlquist,
Regional Director, Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center.
[FR Doc. 95-25561 Filed 10-13-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-M
