⚖️Montana Regulatory Program Update
We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Montana regulatory program (hereinafter, the Montana program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Montana submitted this proposed amendment to us, on its own initiative, following the passage of Montana House Bill 616 (HB 616) during the 2025 legislative session. Montana proposes several changes to the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) generally related to the option for an permittee to include predictive modeling, along with monitoring data, in its bond release application to prove compliance with approved reclamation plans and allowing Montana to retain a portion of a bond for areas that are contributing suspended solids. This notice also allows for a public comment period and the possibility for a public hearing, if one is requested.
Learn More📄Notice on Permit Processing Requirements for Businesses
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are proposing to renew an information collection.
Learn More⛏️Notice of Environmental Impact Statement for Skyline Mine Project
On April 15, 2024, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA), and the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (MLA), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Price Field Office, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (Forest Service) Manti-La Sal National Forest, published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register, 73 FR 26184 (BLM_FRN_MO4500176455) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in response to a Lease by Application (LBA) for the Little Eccles Federal Coal Lease Tract (UTU-92226) of 120 acres and a Lease Modification Application (LMA) to add 640 acres to the Flat Canyon Lease Tract (UTU-77114). This notice is revising the previous Notice of Intent with respect to the USDA to announce that the USDA Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), Acting Under Secretary intends to prepare the EIS in response to the LBA for the Little Eccles Federal Coal Lease Tract (UTU-92226) and LMA to the Flat Canyon Lease Tract (UTU-77114). The USDA, Acting Under Secretary for NRE proposes to prepare an EIS in coordination with BLM and issue the project decision of the USDA.
Learn More📄Notice on Permit Applications Minimum Requirements for Businesses
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is proposing to renew an information collection.
Learn More📄Notice of Information Collection for Coal Extraction Regulation
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is proposing to renew an information collection.
Learn More⛏️Impact of Rescinded Mineral Prospecting Regulations on Businesses
This direct final rule rescinds a portion of the Bureau of Land Management's regulations that address prospecting for mineral resources on National Forest System lands.
Learn More⛏️Rescission of Surface Protection Regulations for Mining
This direct final rule rescinds a portion of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) regulations that address mining in powersite withdrawals.
Learn More⚒️MSHA Proposes Extended Comment Period for Miner Training Rule
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the proposed rule titled, "Training and Retraining of Miners," published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025, with an established public comment period that is scheduled to end on July 31, 2025. MSHA is extending the comment period for an additional 30 days--from July 31, 2025, to September 2, 2025.
Learn More⛏️Rescission of Mining Assessment Work Regulations by BLM
This direct final rule rescinds a portion of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) regulations addressing areas subject to special mining laws, O&C Lands.
Learn More⚒️Analysis of Regulatory Rescission on Mining Claim Payments
This direct final rule rescinds a portion of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) regulations that authorize declining balance accounts with the BLM concerning mining claims.
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