Colorado Regulatory Program

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is approving a proposed amendment to the Colorado regulatory program (hereinafter referred to as the ``Colorado program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Colorado proposed revisions to and additions of statutes pertaining to definitions, development of rules no more stringent than SMCRA, requirements for permit applications, material damage resulting from subsidence caused by underground coal mining operations, improvidently issued permits, release of performance bonds, entitles and operations subject to the requirements of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act, authority to apply for funds for the administration and fulfillment of the requirements of an abandoned mine reclamation program, and creation of a Colorado mine subsidence protection program. The amendment revised the State program to clarify ambiguities and improve operational efficiency.