Utah Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Plan

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is approving a proposed amendment to the Utah abandoned mine land reclamation (AMLR) plan (hereinafter referred to as the ``Utah plan'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Utah proposed revisions to, and the addition of rules pertaining to, the definitions of certain terms, general reclamation requirements for coal lands and water, eligible lands and water prior to certification, certification of completion of coal sites, eligible lands and water subsequent to certification, the exclusion of certain noncoal reclamation sites, the extension of land acquisition authority and lien requirements to noncoal sites, limited liability, contractor responsibility, and reports. Utah also proposed deletion of the rules concerning the State reclamation grant period, grant application procedures, grant agreements, and grant and budget revisions. The amendment revised the Utah plan to meet the requirements of the revised corresponding Federal regulations and to be consistent with SMCRA, as amended, to incorporate the additional flexibility afforded by the revised Federal regulations and SMCRA, and to improve operational efficiency.