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, in addition to several nonsubstantive editorial revisions, revisions to Colorado's rules pertaining to the applicability of Colorado's rules and language identifying where referenced material may be viewed; definitions; the requirement to repeal any State rule required by a Federal law or rule which is repealed; the operations plan permit application requirements; experimental practices; the right of successive permit renewal; transfer, assignment or sale of permit rights; terms and conditions of an irrevocable letter of credit; performance standards for sedimentation ponds; embankment design for sedimentation ponds; sign and markers for temporary and permanent cessation of operations; availability of records; and a permittee's failure to abate a violation. The amendment revised the State program to clarify ambiguities and improve operational efficiency.