Notice2024-30941
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 27, 2024
Issuing agencies
Labor DepartmentMine Safety and Health Administration
Abstract
The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre- clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments on the information collection entitled Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 248 (Friday, December 27, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 248 (Friday, December 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 105633-105634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30941]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
[OMB Control No. 1219-0026]
Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Ground Control for
Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-
clearance consultation program to provide the general public and
Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections
of information, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the
desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is
minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the
impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly
assessed. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is
soliciting comments on the information collection entitled Ground
Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground
Coal Mines.
DATES: All comments must be received on or before February 25, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the information collection requirements
of this notice may be sent by any of the methods listed below. Please
note that late comments received after the deadline will not be
considered.
<bullet> Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments for docket
number MSHA-2024-0067.
<bullet> Mail/Hand Delivery: DOL-MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th Floor West,
Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-
9455 to make an appointment.
<bullet> MSHA will post all comments as well as any attachments,
except for information submitted and marked as confidential, in the
docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d09d839891feb9beb6bfa2bdb1a4b9bfbefeb3bfbcbcb5b3a4b9bfbea390b4bfbcfeb7bfa6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c18c928980efa8afa7aeb3aca0b5a8aeafefa2aeadada4a2b5a8aeafb281a5aeadefa6aeb7">[email protected]</span></a> (email); (202) 693-9440 (voice);
or (202) 693-9441 (facsimile). These are not toll-free numbers.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
A. Legal Authority
Section 103(h) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act) as amended, 30 U.S.C. 813(h), authorizes the Mine Safety and
Health Administration (MSHA) to collect information necessary to carry
out its duty in protecting the safety and health of miners. Further,
section 101(a) of the Mine Act, 30 U.S.C. 811(a), authorizes the
Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to develop, promulgate, and revise, as
may be appropriate, improved mandatory health or safety standards for
the protection of life and prevention of injuries in coal, metal and
nonmetal mines.
B. Information Collection
In order to fulfill the statutory mandates to promote miners'
health and safety, MSHA requires the collection of information under
the information collection request titled ``Ground Control for Surface
Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines.'' The
information collection is intended to ensure that mine operators are
properly maintaining the highwalls, pits, and spoil banks of surface
coal mines and underground coal mines with surface work areas so that a
safe environment is provided for mine employees, management, and others
who visit the mine property. Mine operators are required to (1) develop
ground control plans for highwalls, pits, and spoil banks and (2)
submit the ground control plans. Details on the two requirements are
following:
1. Development of Ground Control Plans of Highwalls, Pits and Spoil
Banks
Under 30 CFR 77.1000, each operator must establish and follow a
ground control plan for the safe control of all highwalls, pits and
spoil banks, which must be consistent with prudent engineering design
and will ensure safe working conditions. The mining methods employed by
the operator must be selected to ensure highwall and spoil bank
stability.
2. Submission of Ground Control Plans
Under 30 CFR 77.1000-1, the mine operator must file a copy of the
ground control plan, and revisions thereof, with the MSHA District
Office in which the mine is located, and must identify: the name and
location of the mine; the MSHA identification number if known; and the
name and address of the mine operator.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information
collection titled ``Ground Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface
Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines.'' MSHA is particularly interested
in comments that:
<bullet> Evaluate whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information has practical utility;
<bullet> Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA's estimate of the burden of
the collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
<bullet> Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be collected; and
<bullet> Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses.
The information collection request will be available on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. MSHA cautions the commenter against providing any
information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed.
Full comments, including personal information provided, will be made
available on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov">https://www.reginfo.gov</a>.
The public may also examine publicly available documents at DOL-
MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances, 201 12th Street
South, 4th
[[Page 105634]]
Floor West, Arlington, VA 22202-5452. Sign in at the receptionist's
desk on the 4th Floor via the West elevator. Before visiting MSHA in
person, call 202-693-9455 to make an appointment.
Questions about the information collection requirements may be
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice.
III. Current Actions
This information collection request concerns provisions for Ground
Control for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground
Coal Mines. MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of
respondents, responses, time burden, and burden costs supporting this
information collection request from the previous information collection
request.
Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
OMB Number: 1219-0026.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Number of Annual Respondents: 349.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Annual Responses: 349.
Annual Time Burden: 2,398 hours.
Annual Other Burden Costs: $663.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the proposed information collection request; they will
become a matter of public record and be available at <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov">https://www.reginfo.gov</a>.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Certifying Officer, Mine Safety and Health Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-30941 Filed 12-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.