Ohio Regulatory Program

OSM is approving a proposed amendment to the Ohio regulatory program (hereinafter referred to as the ``Ohio program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Ohio proposed revisions pertaining to twenty-two sections of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) to clarify those sections of State law, to conform those sections to current State practices, and to make those sections equivalent to corresponding Federal laws. The revisions concern confidential information on incidental coal extraction, the Reclamation Supplemental Forfeiture Fund, use of the Reclamation Supplemental Forfeiture Fund and for non-coal reclamation, the Coal Mining Performance Bond Fund, limitations on the awards of costs and expenses, reclamation contracts with surface mine operators, reclamation of interim forfeiture and insolvent surety sites, use of police powers, AML reclamation liens, the Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment Fund, lands eligible for remining, average wage rates, deletion of obsolete language on interim continuance of underground coal mining operations, activities eligible for Small Operator Assistance, required staff training, and informal review of issues as a form of alternative dispute resolution.