The Department of the Interior today extended until March 18 the period for public comment on proposed revisions of regulations governing mining operations under coal leases on Federal and Indian lands.
Notice of the extension will be published in the Federal Register this week.
The revised regulations would require the reclamation of surface mined coal land to an extent equal to the standards recommended by the Administration for inclusion into Federal legislation on surface or strip mining.
After March 18 the Interior Department will review public comments for 20 days before taking further action. Full compliance by coal operators would be mandatory six months after regulations become effective.
