Montana Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation (AMLR) Plan

OSM is approving a proposed amendment to the Montana AMLR plan (hereinafter referred to as the ``Montana plan'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Montana proposed the addition of new provisions to its AMLR plan that concern the reclamation of interim program and bankrupt surety bond forfeiture coal sites, future set-aside funds and an acid mine drainage program, and water treatment supply replacement project requirements. Montana also included in this amendment updated policies and procedures concerning purchasing, equal opportunity in employment, Americans With Disabilities Act, compliance with the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan, and coordination and consultation with other State and Federal agencies. The amendment is intended to incorporate the additional flexibility afforded by SMCRA, as amended by the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-508), and to improve operational efficiency.