[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 222 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 62997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30174]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment Standards Administration
20 CFR Parts 718, 722, 725, 726 and 727
RIN 1215-AA99
Regulations Implementing the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety
Act of 1996, as Amended; Extension of Comment Period
AGENCY: Employemnt Standards Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: This document extends the period for filing comments regarding
the proposed rule to amend and revise the regulations implementing the
Black Lung Benefits Act. This action is taken to permit additional
comment from interested persons.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 6, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on the proposed rule to James L.
DeMarce, Director, Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Room C-
3520, Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington,
DC 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James L. DeMarce, (202) 219-6692.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of the October 8,
1999, (64 FR 54965-55072), the Department of Labor published a proposed
rule intended to amend and revise the regulations implementing the
Black Lung Benefits Act, subchapter IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health
and Safety Act of 1969, as amended. Interested persons were requested
to submit comments on or before December 7, 1999.
The Department has received requests for an extension of the
comment period. In order to afford interested parties an appropriate
period in which to submit comments, the Department believes that it is
desirable to extend the comment period for 30 days. Therefore, the
comment period for the proposed rule, amending and revising 20 CFR
parts 718, 722, 725, 726 and 727, is extended for all interested
parties through January 6, 2000. On November 5, 1999, the Department
completed its mailing of the proposal to coal mine operators. This
extension will allow each potentially affected coal mine operator an
appropriate period to consider and respond to the proposed rule.
The Department has also received requests that it hold additional
hearings on the black lung regulations. In 1997, following the first
proposed revision of the regulations, in addition to extending the
comment period for 150 days, the Department held hearings in
Washington, DC, and Charleston, WV. The Department does not believe
that additional hearings are necessary.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 15th day of November, 1999.
Bernard E. Anderson,
Assistant Secretary for Employment Standards.
[FR Doc. 99-30174 Filed 11-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-27-M
