Proposed regulations to implement the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, insofar as it pertains to coal mining on Indian lands, were published in the Federal Register September 15 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The proposed regulations are intended to bring surface coal mining activity on the Indian lands into compliance with the environmental safeguard and reclamation requirements imposed by the Act.
Written comments on the regulations should be sent by October 14 to the Office of Trust Responsibilities, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C. 20240.
Public meetings dealing with the regulation of mining on Indian lands will be held at Bureau of Indian Affairs area offices in Phoenix, Ariz., September 23; Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 26 and Window Rock, Ariz., September 28.
These meetings will supplement genera1 meetings on the Surface Mining Act to be held September 20 in four cities.
