[Federal Register: May 1, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 84)] [Notices] [Page 24192] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr01my98-110] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Draft Petition Evaluation Document/Environmental Impact Statement; Tennessee AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft petition evaluation document/environmental impact statement (PED/EIS) for Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) of the United States Department of the Interior is making available for public comment, the draft PED/EIS for a petition to designate certain lands in the watershed and viewshed of Fall Creek Falls State Park and Natural Area, Van Buren and Bledsoe Counties, Tennessee, as unsuitable for all surface coal mining operations. DATES: Written comments: OSM will accept written comments on the draft PED/EIS until July 30, 1998. Public Hearing: A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m., C.D.T. on Thursday, June 18, 1998, at the address given below. ADDRESSES: Copies of the PED/EIS: Single copies of the draft PED/EIS may be obtained by contacting Beverly Brock at the address and telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. A copy of the PED/EIS is available for inspection at that address, and also at the Bledsoe and Van Buren County Clerk's offices. Written Comments: Written comments may be hand delivered or mailed to Beverly Brock, Supervisor, Technical Group, Office of Surface Mining, 530 Gay Street, S.W., Suite 500, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Public Hearing: A public hearing will be held at the Cumberland County High School Gymnasium, Crossville, Tennessee, at the date and time listed under DATES. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly Brock, Supervisor, Technical Group, Office of Surface Mining, 530 Gay Street, S.W., Suite 500, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Telephone: (423) 545-4103, ext. 146. E-Mail/Internet: bbrock@osmre.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OSM has been petitioned by Save Our Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, and forty-nine citizens to designate the watershed and viewshed of Fall Creek Falls State Park and Natural Area, Tennessee, as unsuitable for all types of surface coal mining operations. OSM has prepared a draft PED/EIS as required by Section 522(d) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The draft PED/EIS evaluates the potential coal resources of the area, the demand for coal resources, and the impacts of alternative unsuitability decisions on the human environment, the economy, and the supply of coal. A public hearing has been scheduled as indicated above. Anyone who wishes to speak will be given the opportunity to do so, but initial comments will be limited to 10 minutes. Time limits may be extended at the discretion of the presiding official. Persons wishing to present testimony are encouraged to contact OSM at the address given above. OSM would appreciate receiving a written copy of the speaker's comments four days prior to the public hearing, if possible. The hearing will be transcribed. Filing a written statement at the time of oral presentation is encouraged as this will facilitate the job of the court reporter. A transcript of the hearing will be available at a nominal fee approximately ten working days after the hearing. Dated: April 24, 1998. Michael K. Robinson, Acting Regional Director, Appalachian Regional Coordinating Center. [FR Doc. 98-11611 Filed 4-30-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-05-M