95-7697. Oklahoma Regulatory Program  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 29, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 16047-16051]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-7697]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
    
    Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
    
    30 CFR Part 936
    
    
    Oklahoma Regulatory Program
    
    AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), 
    Interior.
    
    ACTION: Final rule, approval of amendment.
    
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    SUMMARY: OSM is approving a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma 
    regulatory program (hereinafter referred to as the ``Oklahoma 
    program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 
    (SMCRA). The proposed amendment consists of recodification of 
    Oklahoma's coal mining rules and revisions to the rules pertaining to 
    hydrologic balance requirements for siltation structures, sedimentation 
    pond storage volume, subsidence control and public notice, road 
    systems, protection of underground [[Page 16048]] mining, and soil 
    removal, stockpiling, and replacement requirements for prime farmland. 
    Oklahoma submitted the amendment with the intent of revising its rules 
    to be consistent with the corresponding Federal regulations, clarifying 
    ambiguities, and improving operational efficiency.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: March 29, 1995.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    James H. Moncrief, Telephone: (918) 581-6430.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    
    I. Background on the Oklahoma Program
    
        On January 19, 1981, the Secretary of the Interior conditionally 
    approved the Oklahoma program. General background information on the 
    Oklahoma program, including the Secretary's findings, the disposition 
    of comments, and the conditions of approval of the Oklahoma program can 
    be found in the January 19, 1981, Federal Register (46 FR 4902). 
    Subsequent actions concerning Oklahoma's program and program amendments 
    can be found at 30 CFR 936.15, 936.16, and 936.30.
    
    II. Submission of Amendment
    
        On September 14, 1994, Oklahoma submitted a proposed amendment to 
    its program pursuant to SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., administrative 
    record No. OK-963). Oklahoma submitted the proposed amendment in part 
    at its own initiative and in part with the intent of revising the 
    Oklahoma program to be consistent with the corresponding Federal 
    regulations.
        Oklahoma proposed to revise the Oklahoma Coal Rules and Regulations 
    at Department of Mines/Rules and Regulations (DOM/RR) sections 816.46 
    and 817.46, hydrologic balance and siltation structures; section 
    823.12, prime farmland soil removal; section 823.13, prime farmland 
    soil stockpiling; and section 823.14, prime farmland soil replacement. 
    Oklahoma also proposed to recodify its rules in accordance with the 
    standards set forth by the Oklahoma State Legislature and the Office of 
    Administrative Code.
        OSM announced receipt of the proposed amendment in the September 
    27, 1994, Federal Register (59 FR 49223), provided an opportunity for a 
    public hearing or meeting on its substantive adequacy, and invited 
    public comment on its adequacy (administrative record No. OK-963.03). 
    Because no one requested a public hearing or meeting, none was held. 
    The public comment period ended on October 27, 1994.
        During its review of the amendment, OSM identified concerns 
    relating to the provisions of recodified Oklahoma Administrative Code 
    (OAC) 460:20-27-20(b) and 460:20-31-17(b), primary road certification 
    requirements for road systems and transportation facilities. OSM also 
    identified concerns with Oklahoma's proposed rule recodification 
    relating to OAC 460:20-43-12(f)(8), sedimentation pond storage volume; 
    OAC 460:20-43-47 and 460:20-43-48, subsidence control for surface 
    mining activities; OAC 460:20-45-28, protection of underground mining; 
    and various editorial and citation inconsistencies. OSM notified 
    Oklahoma of the concerns by letter dated November 22, 1994 
    (administrative record No. OK-963.08).
        By letter dated December 20, 1994, Oklahoma responded to the 
    concerns identified in OSM's November 22, 1994, letter by submitting 
    the revised amendment and additional explanatory information 
    (administrative record No. OK-963.10). The provisions that Oklahoma 
    proposed to revise and add were: OAC 460:20-27-20(b) and 460:20-31-
    17(b), concerning the as-built requirements regarding primary road 
    certification for road systems and transportation facilities; OAC 
    460:20-43-12(f)(8), concerning the requirement that sediment shall be 
    removed from a structure when the sediment storage volume is 80 percent 
    filled; OAC 460:20-45-47 and 460:20-45-48, concerning subsidence 
    control for surface mining activities; and OAC 460:20-45-28, concerning 
    the protection of underground mining. Oklahoma also proposed revisions 
    to and provided additional explanatory information for the 
    recodification of its coal mining rules.
        Based upon the revisions to and additional explanatory information 
    for the proposed program amendment submitted by Oklahoma, OSM reopened 
    the public comment period in the December 30, 1994, Federal Register 
    (59 FR 67694; administrative record No. OK-963.12). The public comment 
    period closed on January 17, 1995.
        After the closing of the reopened comment period, OSM became aware 
    that both Oklahoma's September 14, 1994, and December 20, 1994, 
    amendment submittals contained a number of rule revisions that were 
    previously approved by OSM on December 18, 1990 (55 FR 51902), and 
    promulgated by Oklahoma on July 25, 1994. Because the previously 
    approved provisions were formatted in such a manner so as to appear as 
    if they were being submitted for the first time, OSM, in both the 
    September 27, 1994, and December 30, 1994, Federal Register notices 
    opening and reopening the public comment period, inadvertently 
    identified those previously approved Oklahoma rules as being currently 
    proposed revisions to the Oklahoma program. To alleviate confusion as 
    to which provisions were actually unapproved when submitted to OSM for 
    approval, this notice addresses only the unapproved provisions 
    submitted by Oklahoma.
    
    III. Director's Findings
    
        As discussed below, the Director, in accordance with SMCRA and 30 
    CFR 732.15 and 732.17, finds that the proposed program amendment 
    submitted by Oklahoma on September 14, 1994, and as revised by it on 
    December 20, 1994, is no less effective than the corresponding Federal 
    regulations. The Director approves the proposed amendment.
    
    1. Nonsubstantive Recodification of Oklahoma's Rules
    
        Oklahoma, in accordance with the standards set forth by the 
    Oklahoma State Legislature and the Oklahoma Office of Administrative 
    Code, proposed to recodify its coal mining rules as OAC title 460, 
    chapter 20, with underlying subchapters specifying the various surface 
    and underground coal mining provisions.
        Oklahoma's proposed recodification of its rules is nonsubstantive 
    in nature, and the Director finds that the recodification does not make 
    its rules less effective than the Federal regulations. Therefore, the 
    Director approves the proposed recodification. OSM uses Oklahoma's 
    recodified rule citations throughout this Federal Register notice.
    
    2. Substantive Revisions to Oklahoma's Rules That Are Substantively 
    Identical to the Corresponding Provisions of the Federal Regulations
    
        Oklahoma proposed revisions to OAC 460:20-49-5(a)(1), 460:20-49-6, 
    and 460:20-49-7(5), concerning soil removal, stockpiling, and 
    replacement requirements for prime farmland, that are substantive in 
    nature and contain language that is substantively identical to the 
    requirements of the corresponding Federal regulations at 30 CFR 701.5, 
    823.12(c)(1), and 823.14(e).
        Because these proposed Oklahoma rules are substantively identical 
    to the corresponding provisions of the Federal regulations, the 
    Director finds that they are no less effective than the Federal 
    regulations. The Director approves these proposed 
    rules. [[Page 16049]] 
    
    3. OAC 460:20-27-20(b), 460:20-31-17(b), 460:20-43-53(1), and 460:20-
    45-53(1), Primary Road Certification Requirements for Road Systems and 
    Transportation Facilities
    
        Oklahoma proposed to revise its rules by moving the ``as-built'' 
    certification requirements for primary roads from its permitting rules 
    at OAC 460:20-27-20(b) and 460:20-31-17(b) to its performance standard 
    rules at 460:20-43-53(1) and 460:20-45-53(1). As-built certifications 
    ensure that structures are constructed as designed.
        The Federal as-built regulations at 30 CFR 816.151(a) and 
    817.151(a) require, in pertinent part, that the construction or 
    reconstruction of primary roads shall be certified in a report to the 
    regulatory authority by a qualified, registered, professional engineer, 
    or in any State which authorizes land surveyors to certify the 
    construction or reconstruction of primary roads, a qualified, 
    registered, professional land surveyor with experience in the design 
    and construction of roads.
        Oklahoma's moving of its as-built requirements for primary roads 
    from the permitting requirements of OAC 460:20-27-20(b) and 460:20-31-
    17(b) to the performance standard requirements of OAC 460:20-43-53(1) 
    and 460:20-45-53(1) is consistent with the as-built counterpart Federal 
    regulations at 30 CFR 816.151(a) and 817.151(a), which are contained in 
    the Federal road performance standards.
        The Director finds that Oklahoma's proposed revisions to OAC 
    460:20-43-53(1), and 460:20-45-53(1) are no less effective than the 
    Federal regulations at 30 CFR 816.151(a) and 817.151(a). The Director 
    approves Oklahoma's rule revisions.
    
    4. OAC 460:20-43-12(b)(3) and 460:20-45-12(b)(3), Certification of 
    Construction of Siltation Structures by Qualified, Registered 
    Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
    
        At OAC 460:20-43-12(b)(3) and 460:20-45-12(b)(3), Oklahoma proposed 
    to delete the references to OAC 460:20-27-14(a) and 460:20-31-9(a). 
    Existing OAC 460:20-43-12(b)(3) and 460:20-45-12(b)(3) authorize both 
    qualified, registered professional engineers and land surveyors in 
    Oklahoma to certify the construction of siltation structures; existing 
    referenced OAC 460:20-27-14(a) and 460:20-31-9(a) authorize only 
    qualified, registered professional engineers to certify design plans 
    for siltation structures. OSM approved these existing rules on December 
    18, 1990, (finding No. 2, 55 FR 51902, 51903-4) on the basis that the 
    by-laws of the Oklahoma State Board of Registration of Professional 
    Engineers and Surveyors authorizes qualified, registered professional 
    engineers to certify the construction and design of siltation 
    structures but authorizes qualified, professional land surveyors to 
    certify only the construction of siltation structures. In this 
    approval, OSM found Oklahoma's rules to be no less effective than the 
    corresponding Federal regulations at 30 CFR 816.46(b)(3) and 
    817.46(b)(3).
        Oklahoma's proposed deletions in the construction certification 
    rules at OAC 460:20-43-12(b)(3) and 460:20-45-12(b)(3) of the 
    references to the design certification rules at OAC 460:20-27-14(a) and 
    460:20-31-9(a) eliminate any possible confusion on what certifications 
    qualified, registered professional engineers and land surveyors can 
    make under the approved Oklahoma program.
        Oklahoma's proposed revisions to OAC 460:20-43-12(b)(3) and 460:20-
    45-12(b)(3) deleting the references to OAC 460:20-27-14(a) and 460:20-
    31-9(a) are consistent with OSM's previous approval and are no less 
    effective than the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 816.46(b)(3) and 
    817.46(b)(3). Accordingly, the Director approves Oklahoma's rule 
    revisions.
    
    5. OAC 460:20-43-12(f)(8), Sedimentation Pond Storage Volume
    
        Oklahoma proposed to revise OAC 460:20-43-12(f)(8) to delete the 
    requirement that sediment be removed from a sedimentation pond when the 
    sediment storage volume is 80 percent filled. It did so to be 
    consistent with its rule at OAC 460:20-43(c)(1)(C)(vi) and the Federal 
    regulations at 30 CFR 816.46(c)(iii)(F) that require that ponds be 
    maintained to provide periodic sediment removal sufficient to maintain 
    adequate volume for the design event. Oklahoma's proposed deletion of 
    OAC 460:20-43-12(f)(8) alleviates the regulatory inconsistency in its 
    rules with the provision at OAC 460:20-43-12(c)(1)(C)(vi) and is 
    consistent with and no less effective than the Federal regulations at 
    30 CFR 816.46(c)(iii)(F). Accordingly, the Director approves Oklahoma's 
    proposed rule revision.
    
    6. OAC 460:20-43-47 and 48, Subsidence Control and Public Notice
    
        Oklahoma proposed to revise its surface mining activities 
    performance standards provisions at OAC 460:20-43-47 and 48 to add 
    subsidence control and public notice measures that apply to underground 
    mining activities. Oklahoma explained that it was doing so because it 
    issues underground mine permits pursuant to the surface mine 
    requirements included in Subchapter 43 (administrative record No. OK-
    963.10).
        The Federal regulations corresponding to OAC 460:20-43-47 and 48 
    are at 30 CFR 817.121 and 817.122. These Oklahoma rules include the 
    same subsidence control and notice requirements as these Federal 
    regulations. However, OSM notes it has proposed revisions to 30 CFR 
    817.121 to comply with revisions to SMCRA made by the Energy Policy Act 
    of 1992 (58 FR 50174, September 24, 1993). Once OSM promulgates new 
    regulations, it will notify Oklahoma in accordance with 30 CFR 
    732.17(d) of any necessary revisions to Oklahoma's program. Until such 
    time the Director finds that Oklahoma's proposed subsidence control and 
    notice rules at OAC 460:20-43-47 and 48 are no less effective than the 
    currently promulgated regulations at 30 CFR 817.121 and 817.122. 
    Therefore, the Director approves the proposed rule revisions.
    
    7. OAC 460:20-45-28, Protection of Underground Mining
    
        Oklahoma proposed to revise its underground mining performance 
    standards at OAC 460:20-45-28 to delete a provision regarding the 
    protection of underground mining operations from the effects of surface 
    mining activities. However, Oklahoma still retains in its surface 
    mining performance standards at OAC 460:20-43-28 an identical 
    requirement. Therefore, the Oklahoma rules still provide an identical 
    level of protection to underground mining operations from the adverse 
    effects of surface mining activities.
        There are no Federal underground mining regulations that correspond 
    to the deleted Oklahoma rule. However, the Federal surface mining 
    regulation at 30 CFR 816.79 sets forth provisions regarding the 
    protection of underground mining operations from the effects of surface 
    mining activities that are substantively identical to the Oklahoma 
    surface mining requirements at OAC 460:20-43-28. Therefore, the 
    Director finds that the proposed deletion of the underground mining 
    protection provision at OAC 460-20-45-28 and retention of an identical 
    provision at OAC 460:20-43-28 is no less effective than the Federal 
    regulations at 30 CFR 816.79. The Director approves the proposed rule 
    revision.
    
    IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments
    
        The Director notes that the following public and Federal agency 
    comments were received in response to the [[Page 16050]] September 27, 
    1994, and December 30, 1994, proposed rule Federal Register notices 
    that inadvertently identified certain previously approved Oklahoma 
    rules as being currently proposed revisions to the Oklahoma program.
    
    1. Public Comments
    
        OSM invited public comments on the proposed amendment, but none 
    were received.
    
    2. Federal Agency Comments
    
        Pursuant to 732.17(h)(11)(i), OSM solicited comments on the 
    proposed amendment from various Federal agencies with an actual or 
    potential interest in the Oklahoma program (administrative record No. 
    OK-963.02).
        The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responded on September 30, 1994, 
    that Oklahoma's proposed revisions were satisfactory (administrative 
    record No. OK-963.04).
        The U.S. Bureau of Mines (BOM) responded on September 27, 1994, 
    that while Oklahoma's proposed rule to OAC 460:20-27-14(a)(1)(A) 
    deletes the reference to preparation and certification of the design of 
    ponds, impoundments, banks, dams and embankments, by a ``professional 
    geologist, or a qualified, registered, professional land surveyor,'' 
    the proposed rule to OAC 460:20-43-12(b)(3) then adds the statement 
    that siltation structure construction may be certified by a 
    ``registered professional land surveyor'' (administrative record No. 
    OK-963.05). BOM further stated that this appears to be a contradiction 
    in that in one instance, qualified, registered, professional land 
    surveyors are not allowed to design the ponds, yet they are allowed to 
    certify that the ponds are constructed correctly. Finally, BOM 
    commented that this same contradiction occurs in OAC 460:20-45-12 for 
    underground mining activities.
        As discussed in finding No. 4 and OSM's December 18, 1990, final 
    rule Federal Register notice, Oklahoma's by-laws of the State Board of 
    Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors do not authorize 
    registered land surveyors in Oklahoma to prepare and/or certify 
    engineered designs, but they do authorize land surveyors to certify the 
    construction of siltation structures since certification that a 
    structure is built according to design does not require the same 
    qualified expertise as the actual design of the structure (finding No. 
    2, 55 FR 51902, 51903-4). Accordingly, Oklahoma's rules at OAC 460:20-
    27-14(a)(1)(A), 460:20-31-9(a)(1)(A, 460:20-43-12(b)(3), and 460:20-45-
    12(b)(3) do not contradict each other.
        The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) responded on October 12, 
    1994, by commenting that under OAC 460:20-45-12(b)(3), a registered 
    professional land surveyor is authorized to certify that siltation 
    structures are constructed as designed, but the authorization for a 
    registered professional land surveyor to prepare and certify siltation 
    structure plans designs has been removed elsewhere in Oklahoma's rules 
    (administrative record No. OK-963.06). BLM then inquired as to whether 
    OSM intended to retain the certification authorization for registered 
    professional land surveyors at OAC 460:20-45-12(b)(3). In response to 
    this comment, the Director refers BLM to the discussion above, which 
    responds to BOM concerns regarding the same issue.
        BLM further commented that it questioned the practicality of the 
    change under the prime farmland soil removal rule at OAC 460:20-49-
    5(a)(1) where Oklahoma proposed to delete language that would have 
    allowed surface coal mining and reclamation operations on prime 
    farmland to remove other suitable soil materials which will create a 
    final soil having productive capacity equal to that which existed prior 
    to mining.
        BLM commented that when soil is removed, stockpiled, and reapplied 
    there is some loss and mixing due to the limitations of the handling 
    process itself. When soil is removed and stockpiled there is a 
    mycorrhyzal degradation within the soil. Further, more significant 
    mycorrhyzal degradation occurs over time within the stockpile. 
    Mycorrhyzal degradation lowers soil productivity. BLM also stated that 
    expecting greater productivity from soil which has undergone such 
    disturbance is not reasonable and that it would be more productive for 
    the guidelines to recommend seeding topsoil piles with a temporary 
    cover grass for the duration of stockpiling. Finally, BLM commented 
    that such seeding would maintain some of the mycorrhyzal community 
    within the stockpiled topsoil.
        The Director acknowledges BLM's concerns regarding diminished soil 
    productivity. However, section 515(b)(7)(A) of SMCRA requires, in 
    pertinent part, that ``[f]or all prime farm lands * * * the operator 
    shall, as a minimum, be required to * * * segregate the A horizon of 
    the natural soil, except where it can be shown that other available 
    soil materials will create a final soil having a greater productivity 
    capacity * * *'' (emphasis added). Also, the corresponding Federal 
    regulations at 30 CFR 823.12(c)(1) require, in pertinent part, that 
    ``[s]oil removal and stockpiling operations on prime farmland shall be 
    conducted to * * * remove other suitable soil materials where such 
    other soil materials will create a final soil having a greater 
    productive capacity than that which exist prior to mining'' (emphasis 
    added). OSM previously approved Oklahoma's rule revision in the 
    December 18, 1990, final rule Federal Register notice (55 FR 51902, 
    51903), as being substantively identical to the corresponding 
    provisions of the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 823.12(c)(1). 
    Accordingly, Oklahoma's deletion of the aforementioned phrase ``an 
    equal or'' is no less stringent than section 515(b)(7)(A) of SMCRA and 
    no less effective than the corresponding Federal regulations at 30 CFR 
    823.12(c)(1).
        In addition, the Director notes that the State and Federal 
    requirements that a final soil have a greater productive capacity than 
    that which existed prior to mining applies only to topsoil substitutes, 
    and not the original topsoil material. Finally, the Director refers BLM 
    to the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 816.22(c)(2)(iii), which require, 
    in pertinent part, that ``[s]tockpiled topsoil materials shall be 
    protected from wind and water erosion through prompt establishment and 
    maintenance of an effective, quick growing vegetative cover or through 
    other measures approved by the regulatory authority.'' Oklahoma's 
    counterpart rule at OAC 460:20-43-7(c)(2)(C) is substantively identical 
    to 30 CFR 816.22(c)(2)(iii). While OSM cannot dictate that Oklahoma 
    always require operators to seed topsoil, by virtue of the fact that 
    nearly all operators in Oklahoma do seed topsoil, BLM's recommendation 
    for seeding topsoil piles is almost always implemented in Oklahoma.
    
    3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Concurrence and Comments
    
        Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(ii), OSM is required to solicit 
    the written concurrence of EPA with respect to those provisions of the 
    proposed program amendment that relate to air or water quality 
    standards promulgated under the authority of the Clean Water Act (33 
    U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) or the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.).
        None of the revisions that Oklahoma proposed to make in its 
    amendment pertain to air or water quality standards. Therefore, OSM did 
    not request EPA's concurrence.
        Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i), OSM solicited comments on the 
    proposed amendment from EPA (administrative record No. OK-963.02). It 
    responded on October 13, 1994, that [[Page 16051]] it had no objections 
    to the approval of Oklahoma's proposed regulations (administrative 
    record No. OK-963.07).
    
    4. State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and the Advisory Council 
    on Historic Preservation (ACHP)
    
        Pursuant to 30 CFR 732.17(h)(4), OSM solicited comments on the 
    proposed amendment from the SHPO and ACHP (administrative record No. 
    OK-963.02). Neither SHPO nor ACHP responded to OSM's request.
    
    V. Director's Decision
    
        Based on the above findings, the Director approves Oklahoma's 
    proposed amendment as submitted on September 14, 1994, and as revised 
    on December 20, 1994.
        The Director approves, as discussed in: Finding No. 1, concerning 
    Oklahoma's proposed recodification of its coal mining rules; finding 
    No. 2, OAC 460:20-49-5(a)(1), 460:20-49-6, and 460:20-49-7(5), 
    concerning soil removal, stockpiling, and replacement requirements for 
    prime farland; finding No. 3, OAC 460:20-27-20(b), 460:20-31-17(b), 
    460:20-43-53(1), and 460:20-45-53(1), concerning primary road 
    certification requirements for road systems and transportation 
    facilities; finding No. 4, OAC 460:20-43-12(b)(3) and 460:20-45-
    12(b)(3), concerning certification of construction of siltation 
    structures by qualified, registered professional engineers and land 
    surveyors; finding No. 5, OAC 460:20-43-12(f)(8), concerning 
    sedimentation pond storage volume; finding No. 6, OAC 460:20-43-47 and 
    -48, concerning subsidence control and public notice; and finding No. 
    7, OAC 460:20-45-28, concerning protection of underground mining.
        The Director approves the rules as proposed by Oklahoma with the 
    provision that they be fully promulgated in identical form to the rules 
    submitted to and reviewed by OSM and the public.
        The Federal regulations at 30 CFR Part 936, codifying decisions 
    concerning the Oklahoma program, are being amended to implement this 
    decision. This final rule is being made effective immediately to 
    expedite the State program amendment process and to encourage States to 
    bring their programs into conformity with the Federal standards without 
    undue delay. Consistency of State and Federal standards is required by 
    SMCRA.
    
    VI. Procedural Determinations
    
    1. Executive Order 12866
    
        This rule is exempted from review by the Office of Management and 
    Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12886 (Regulatory Planning and 
    Review).
    
    2. 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 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 the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 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.
    
    3. 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 of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
    4332(2)(C)).
    
    4. 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.).
    
    5. 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 936
    
        Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.
    
        Dated: March 25, 1995.
    
    Charles E. Sandberg,
    
    Acting Assistant Director, Western Support Center.
    
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, Title 30, Chapter VII, 
    Subchapter T of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as set forth 
    below:
    
    PART 936--OKLAHOMA
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 936 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.
    
        2. Section 936.15 is amended by adding paragraph (p) to read as 
    follows:
    
    Sec. 936.15  Approval of amendments to the Oklahoma regulatory program.
    
    * * * * *
    
        (p) Recodification of Oklahoma's rules and revisions to the 
    following provisions of Oklahoma's recodified rules, as submitted to 
    OSM on September 14, 1994, and as revised on December 20, 1994, are 
    approved effective March 29, 1995:
    
    OAC 460:20-43-12(b)(3) and 460:20-45-12(b)(3), certification of 
    construction of siltation structures by qualified, registered 
    professional engineers and land surveyors;
    
    OAC 460: 20-43-12(f)(8), sedimentation pond storage volume;
    
    OAC 460: 20-43-47 and 48, subsidence control for surface mining 
    activities;
    
    OAC 460: 20-43-53(1) and 460:20-45-53(1), primary road certification 
    requirements for road systems and transportation facilities;
    
    OAC 460: 20-45-28, protection of underground mining; and
    
    OAC 460: 20-49-5(a)(1), 460: 20-49-6, and 460:20-49-7(5), soil removal, 
    soil stockpiling, and soil replacement requirements for prime farmland.
    
    [FR Doc. 95-7697 Filed 3-28-95; 8:45 am]
    
    BILLING CODE 4310-05-M
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
3/29/1995
Published:
03/29/1995
Department:
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule, approval of amendment.
Document Number:
95-7697
Dates:
March 29, 1995.
Pages:
16047-16051 (5 pages)
PDF File:
95-7697.pdf
CFR: (1)
30 CFR 936.15