Louisiana Regulatory Program

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are approving an amendment to the Louisiana regulatory program (Louisiana program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Louisiana proposed revisions to its regulations concerning revegetation success standards for post-mining land uses of pastureland and wildlife habitat. Louisiana also proposed to add to its program a policy document that describes the criteria and procedures for determining reclamation phase III ground cover and tree and shrub stocking success for areas developed for wildlife habitat. Louisiana revised its program to be consistent with the corresponding Federal regulations.