Regulations Implementing the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as Amended

This final rule implements the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit resolving a broad challenge to numerous provisions of a final rule, promulgated by the Department of Labor on December 20, 2000, amending the regulations implementing the Black Lung Benefits Act. In its June 14, 2002 opinion, the court reviewed both the substance of many provisions of the rule and the applicability of numerous provisions. It upheld the substance of all but one provision, and held that several other provisions were inapplicable to certain claims. The court therefore affirmed in part the district court's decision upholding the rule in its entirety, reversed in part, and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with its opinion. The district court, in turn, remanded the case to the Department for further proceedings in accordance with the D.C. Circuit's opinion. This final rule implements the D.C. Circuit's opinion. It makes no other changes.