Illinois Regulatory Program

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are approving an amendment to the Illinois regulatory program (Illinois program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Mines and Minerals (Illinois or Department) proposed revisions to its regulations about regulatory coordination with requirements under other laws, permit processing requirements, permit fees, right of entry, performance bonds, revegetation timing, standards for measuring revegetation success of herbaceous wildlife vegetation, affected acreage, use of explosives, high capability lands, suspension or revocation of permits, and public and administrative hearings. Illinois also proposed to correct or remove outdated references in several regulations. Illinois revised its program to be consistent with the corresponding Federal regulations, to clarify ambiguities, and to improve operational efficiency.