Proposed Rules. Proposed rule; reopening of the public comment period

Agency: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior
Action: Proposed rule; reopening of the public comment period
Citation: FR Doc. 2016-02460 · 30 CFR 946

Summary

We are reopening the public comment period on the proposed amendment to the Virginia regulatory program (the Virginia program) published on October 22, 2015. The comment period is being reopened in order to afford the public more time to comment. Virginia is proposing to revise its regulations in light of legislative changes made by the General Assembly of Virginia. If approved, the proposed amendment would incorporate these legislative changes into the approved State program. Additionally, the state regulations would be amended to revise the language of the public participation regulations to clarify proof of publication, remove the self-bonding instrument, and remove duplicate pool bond regulations already addressed under the Code of Virginia.

Dates

We will accept written comments on this amendment until 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T.), March 9, 2016.

Supplementary Information

On October 22, 2015, we published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would revise the Virginia program (80 FR 63933) (Administrative Record No. VA 2026). The amendment involves statutory provisions of the Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1979 (VASMCRA) and regulation changes that revise the language of the public participation regulations to clarify proof of publication, remove the self-bonding instrument, and remove duplicate pool bond regulations already addressed under the Code of Virginia. On November 18, 2015, we received a request from an attorney representing Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards and the Sierra Club to extend the public comment period (Administrative Record No. VA 2027). We are granting the request to afford the public more time to comment on the amendment. The full text of the program amendment is available for you to read at the locations listed above under ADDRESSES or at www.regulations.gov. Dated: December 9, 2015. Thomas D. Shope, Regional Director, Appalachian Region. [FR Doc. 2016-02460 Filed 2-5-16; 8:45 am]