Arkansas Regulatory Program and Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Plan

OSM is approving a proposed amendment to the Arkansas regulatory program and abandoned mine land reclamation plan (hereinafter referred to as the ``Arkansas program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1997 (SMCRA). Arkansas proposed revisions to and additions of rules pertaining to termination of jurisdiction, permit fees, minimum required permit application information, remaining, ownership an control, permit approval or denial, small operator assistance, bond and insurance, water replacement, subsidence damage repair/compensation, performance standards, inspections, and abandoned mine land reclamation requirements. Arkansas also proposed to remove duplicated regulation sections for surface and underground mining permit applications pertaining to general requirements for the description of hydrology and geology, groundwater information, surface water information, alternative water supply information, fish and wildlife resources information, and land use information. The purpose of the amendment is to update the Arkansas program as a result of amendments to OSM's regulations and to enhance the enforcement of the State's program.