Rules and Regulations. Notice of availability; final environmental impact statement

Agency: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Department of the Interior
Action: Notice of availability; final environmental impact statement
Citation: FR Doc. 2016-27655 · 30 CFR 700, 701, 773, 774, 777, 779, 780, 783, 784, 785, 800, 816, 817, 824, 827

Summary

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), announce the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Stream Protection Rule developed pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Dates

The final EIS is available on November 16, 2016.

Supplementary Information

Background Significant advances in scientific knowledge and mining and reclamation techniques have occurred in the more than 30 years that have elapsed since the enactment of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., and the adoption of Federal regulations implementing that law. On July 27, 2015, OSMRE proposed the Stream Protection Rule for the primary purpose of updating its regulations and providing regulatory certainty to industry using these advances in scientific knowledge to minimize the adverse impacts of surface coal mining and underground mining operations on surface water, groundwater, fish, wildlife, and related environmental values, with particular emphasis on protecting or restoring streams and aquatic ecosystems. ( See 80 FR 44436.) The draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the proposed rule was made available for public review and comment on July 17, 2015. ( See 80 FR 42535.) After an extension was granted, the comment period closed on October 26, 2015. ( See 80 FR 54590.) During the comment period, OSMRE held six public hearings in Colorado, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, and received approximately 95,000 comments on the proposed rule, DEIS, and the draft Regulatory Impact Analysis. The FEIS for the Stream Protection Rule analyzes the environmental, socioeconomic, and other effects of the preferred alternative—Alternative 8, as revised—and a reasonable range of other alternatives, including a No Action Alternative. The FEIS, including Alternative 8, has been revised, as appropriate, in response to comments and other information received on the DEIS, proposed rule, and draft Regulatory Impact Analysis. It also includes the input of cooperating agencies. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.1 Dated: November 11, 2016. Sterling Rideout, Assistant Director, Program Support. [FR Doc. 2016-27655 Filed 11-15-16; 8:45 am]