OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

For Release November 26, 1991           
Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719

RULES PROPOSED FOR TEMPORARY CESSATION OF COAL MINE OPERATIONS

New standards intended to keep coal mine operators from using
inactive status as a way of avoiding or unduly delaying required
land reclamation have been proposed by the Interior Department's
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM).

The proposal was published in the Federal Register of November 26,
1991, for public review and comment. It consists of revised rules
for surface and underground coal mines that temporarily cease
operations under approved permits.

Under the proposed rule, any coal mine operator who intends to
cease operations temporarily for 30 days or longer must first apply
to the appropriate state or federal surface mine regulatory
authority. The regulatory authority will have 60 days to approve or
disapprove the application.

The new rule is designed to make sure that environmental safeguards
are in place and that land reclamation is not unnecessarily
delayed, that all coal mining and reclamation operations for which
temporary cessation is being requested are in compliance with
environmental performance standards, and to prevent public health
and safety hazards while coal mines are temporarily inactive.

The proposed rule establishes:

--New minimum information requirements for applications;

--Criteria for deciding whether to approve or disapprove
applications for inactive status;

--Pre-approval inspections to determine environmental compliance;
and

--Procedures for periodic review of approved and pending
applications for temporary cessation status.

Written comments on the proposal should be delivered to the
Administrative Record, Office of Surface Mining, Room 5131-L, 1951
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20240, no later than
January 27, 1992.

Public hearings will be held upon request in Washington, D.C., and
in states with federal Surface Mining Act programs.  Requests for
hearing or additional information should be directed to Daniel
Stocker, Office of Surface Mining, 1951 Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C.  20240, (202) 208-2550.