File No. 35997
This rule was published in the April 15, 2012, issue (Vol. 2012, No. 8) of the Utah State Bulletin.
Natural Resources, Oil, Gas and Mining; Coal
Section R645-301-100
General Contents
Notice of Proposed Rule
(Amendment)
DAR File No.: 35997
Filed: 03/30/2012 10:18:03 AM
RULE ANALYSIS
Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:
This purpose of this rule is to establish general requirements for coal mining permits such as legal, financial and compliance information, application formats, and maps. This rule is being amended at the request of the Office of Surface Mining to be as effective as federal regulation, in order to retain state primacy.
Summary of the rule or change:
This rule amendment modifies the information required in a coal mining application pertaining to those with an interest, whether individuals or business entities. These amendments are in accordance with Office of Surface Mining regulations.
State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:
- Section 40-10-10
Anticipated cost or savings to:
the state budget:
There are no anticipated costs or savings to the state budget. While the amendment clarifies the information required in an application, no measurable impact is expected to the state cost in such determinations.
local governments:
No local government costs or savings are anticipated. Local government is not impacted by this rule.
small businesses:
There are no anticipated costs or savings to small businesses because coal mining in Utah normally is not conducted by a small business.
persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:
Persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities are not anticipated to incur costs or savings. These regulations impact the Division and coal mining companies in Utah.
Compliance costs for affected persons:
Coal mine operators within Utah are regulated via the R645 rules. While the amendment clarifies the information included in applications for those with interests, no measurable impact on compliance costs is expected for coal mine operators. If Utah did not have state primacy, coal mining companies would need to comply with relevant federal regulations.
Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:
No measurable fiscal impact upon businesses is expected from this rule change.
Michael Styler, Executive Director
The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:
Natural ResourcesOil, Gas and Mining; CoalRoom 1210
1594 W NORTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116-3154
Direct questions regarding this rule to:
- Steve Schneider at the above address, by phone at 801-538-5328, by FAX at 801-359-3940, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]
Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:
05/15/2012
Interested persons may attend a public hearing regarding this rule:
- 04/25/2012 09:00 AM, Sevier County Admin. Bldg, 250 N Main St, Richfield, UT
This rule may become effective on:
05/23/2012
Authorized by:
John Baza, Director
RULE TEXT
R645. Natural Resources; Oil, Gas and Mining; Coal.
R645-301. Coal Mine Permitting: Permit Application Requirements.
R645-301-100. General Contents.
The rules in R645-301-100 present the requirements for the entitled information which should be included in each permit application.
110. Minimum Requirements for Legal, Financial, Compliance and Related Information.
111. Introduction.
111.100. Objectives. The objectives of R645-301-100 are to insure that all relevant information on the ownership and control of persons who conduct coal mining and reclamation operations, the ownership and control of the property to be affected by the operation, the compliance status and history of those persons, and other important information is provided in the application to the Division.
111.200. Responsibility. It is the responsibility of the permit applicant to provide to the Division all of the information required by R645-301-100.
111.300. Applicability. The requirements of R645-301-100 apply to any person who applies for a permit to conduct coal mining and reclamation operations.
111.400. The applicant shall submit the
information required by R645-301-112 and R645-301-113[
in a format prescribed by OSM rules governing the Applicant
Violator System information needs].
111.500. The Division will enter the information disclosed under R645-301-110 and R645-301-112 into the AVS database, but need not make a finding as provided for under R645-300-185.300 through R645-300-185.600 before entering the information into the AVS database.
112. Identification of Interests. An application will contain the following:
112.100. A statement as to whether the
applicant [is]and operator are a corporation, partnership, single
proprietorship, association, or other business entity;
112.200. The name, address, telephone
number[
and, as applicable, social security number and employer
identification number] of the:
112.210. Applicant; and any operator, if different from the applicant;
112.220. Applicant's resident agent; and
112.230.
The tax payer identification number for the applicant and
operator;[Person who will pay the abandoned mine land reclamation
fee.]
112.300.
The name, address and telephone number of e
ach business entity in the applicant's and operator's
organizational structure, up to and including the ultimate parent
entity of the applicant and operator; for every such business in
the organizational structure of the applicant and operator, the
applicant must also provide the following required information for
every president, chief executive officer, officer, partner, member,
and director (or persons in similar positions), and every person
who owns, of record, 10 percent or more of the entity:[For each person who owns or controls the applicant under
the definition of "owned or controlled" and "owns or
controls" in R645-100-200 of this chapter, as
applicable:]
112.310. The person's name, address,
and
telephone
number;[social security number and employer identification
number;]
112.320. The person's
position, title and[ownership or control] relationship to the
applicant, including percentage of ownership and location in
organizational structure;
112.330. [The title of the person's]For each position,
the date
the position was assumed, and when submitted under
R645-300-147,
the date of departure from the position;
112.340. Each additional name and
identifying number, including employer identification number,
Federal or State permit number, and MSHA number[
with date of issuance], under which the [person owns or controls]applicant, the operator, the applicant's partners or
principal shareholders, and the operator's partners or
principal shareholders operate, or previously
operated[owned or controlled,] a coal mining and
reclamation operation in the United States within five years
preceding the date of the application; and
112.350. The application number or other
identifier of, and the regulatory authority for, any other pending
coal mine operation permit application filed by the [person]applicant or the operator in any State in the United States[.];
112.400. For any coal mining and
reclamation operation owned or controlled by either the applicant
or
operator in the last five years,[by any person who owns or controls the applicant under the
definition of "owned or controlled" and "owns or
controls" in R645-100-200]
provide the
coal mining and reclamation operation's:
112.410.
Permittee's and operator's [N]name, address, identifying numbers, including employer
identification number, Federal or State permit number and MSHA
number, [the date of issuance of the MSHA number,] and the
regulatory authority; and
112.420. Ownership or control relationship to the applicant and the operator, including percentage of ownership and location in organizational structure.
112.500. The name and address of each legal or equitable owner of record of the surface and mineral property to be mined, each holder of record of any leasehold interest in the property to be mined, and any purchaser of record under a real estate contract for the property to be mined;
112.600. The name and address of each owner of record of all property (surface and subsurface) contiguous to any part of the proposed permit area;
112.700. The MSHA numbers for all mine-associated structures that require MSHA approval; and
112.800. A statement of all lands, interest in lands, options, or pending bids on interests held or made by the applicant for lands contiguous to the area described in the permit application. If requested by the applicant, any information required by R645-301-112.800 which is not on public file pursuant to Utah law will be held in confidence by the Division as provided under R645-300-124.320.
112.900. After an applicant is notified that his or her application is approved, but before the permit is issued, the applicant shall, as applicable, update, correct or indicate that no change has occurred in the information previously submitted under R645-301-112.100 through R645-301-112.800.
113. Violation Information. An application will contain the following:
113.100. A statement of whether the
applicant
, the operator, or any subsidiary, affiliate, or entity which
the applicant or the operator own or control or which is under
common control of the operator and[or any subsidiary, affiliate, or persons controlled by or
under common control with] the applicant has:
113.110. Had a federal or state permit to conduct coal mining and reclamation operations suspended or revoked in the five years preceding the date of submission of the application; or
113.120. Forfeited a performance bond or similar security deposited in lieu of bond in the five years preceding the date of submission of the application;
113.200. A brief explanation of the facts involved if any such suspension, revocation, or forfeiture referred to under R645-301-113.110 and R645-301-113.120 has occurred, including:
113.210. Identification number and date of issuance of the permit, and the date and amount of bond or similar security;
113.220. Identification of the authority that suspended or revoked the permit or forfeited the bond and the stated reasons for the action;
113.230. The current status of the permit, bond, or similar security involved;
113.240. The date, location, and type of any administrative or judicial proceedings initiated concerning the suspension, revocation, or forfeiture; and
113.250. The current status of the proceedings; and
113.300. For any violation of a provision
of the Act, or of any law, rule or regulation of the United States,
or of any derivative State reclamation law, rule or regulation
enacted pursuant to Federal law, rule or regulation pertaining to
air or water environmental protection incurred in connection with
any coal mining and reclamation operation, a list of all violation
notices received by the applicant
or operator during the three year period preceding the
application date, and a list of all unabated cessation orders and
unabated air and water quality violation notices received prior to
the date of the application by any coal mining and reclamation
operation owned or controlled by either the applicant or
operator[by any person who owns or controls the applicant].
For each violation notice or cessation order reported, the lists
shall include the following information, as applicable:
113.310. Any identifying numbers for the operation, including the Federal or State permit number and MSHA number, the dates of issuance of the violation notice and MSHA number, the name of the person to whom the violation notice was issued, and the name of the issuing regulatory authority, department or agency;
113.320. A brief description of the violation alleged in the notice;
113.330. The date, location, and type of any administrative or judicial proceedings initiated concerning the violation, including, but not limited to, proceedings initiated by any person identified in R645-301-113.300 to obtain administrative or judicial review of the violation;
113.340. The current status of the
proceedings and of the violation notice;[
and]
113.350. The actions, if any, taken by any
person identified in R645-301-113.300 to abate the violation; and[.]
113.360. If the abatement period for a violation in a notice of violation issued under 30 CFR 843.12 or R645-400-320 has not expired, certification that the violation is being abated or corrected to the satisfaction of the agency with jurisdiction over the violation.
113.400. After an applicant is notified that his or her application is approved, but before the permit is issued, the applicant shall, as applicable, update, correct or indicate that no change has occurred in the information previously submitted under R645-301-113.
114. Right-of-Entry Information.
114.100. An application will contain a description of the documents upon which the applicant bases their legal right to enter and begin coal mining and reclamation operations in the permit area and will state whether that right is the subject of pending litigation. The description will identify the documents by type and date of execution, identify the specific lands to which the document pertains, and explain the legal rights claimed by the applicant.
114.200. Where the private mineral estate to be mined has been severed from the private surface estate, an applicant will also submit:
114.210. A copy of the written consent of the surface owner for the extraction of coal by certain coal mining and reclamation operations;
114.220. A copy of the conveyance that expressly grants or reserves the right to extract coal by certain coal mining and reclamation operations; or
114.230. If the conveyance does not expressly grant the right to extract the coal by certain coal mining and reclamation operations, documentation that under applicable Utah law, the applicant has the legal authority to extract the coal by those operations.
114.300. Nothing given under R645-301-114.100 through R645-301-114.200 will be construed to provide the Division with the authority to adjudicate property rights disputes.
115. Status of Unsuitability Claims.
115.100. An application will contain available information as to whether the proposed permit area is within an area designated as unsuitable for coal mining and reclamation operations or is within an area under study for designation in an administrative proceeding under R645-103-300, R645-103-400, or 30 CFR Part 769.
115.200. An application in which the applicant claims the exemption described in R645-103-333 will contain information supporting the assertion that the applicant made substantial legal and financial commitments before January 4, 1977, concerning the proposed coal mining and reclamation operations.
115.300. An application that proposes to conduct coal mining and reclamation operations within 300 feet of an occupied dwelling or within 100 feet of a public road must meet the requirements of R645-103-234 or R645-103-235, respectively.
116. Permit Term.
116.100. Each permit application will state the anticipated or actual starting and termination date of each phase of the coal mining and reclamation operation and the anticipated number of acres of land to be affected during each phase of mining over the life of the mine.
116.200. If the applicant requires an initial permit term in excess of five years in order to obtain necessary financing for equipment and the opening of the operation, the application will:
116.210. Be complete and accurate covering the specified longer term; and
116.220. Show that the proposed longer term is reasonably needed to allow the applicant to obtain financing for equipment and for the opening of the operation with the need confirmed, in writing, by the applicant's proposed source of financing.
117. Insurance, Proof of Publication and Facilities or Structures Used in Common.
117.100. A permit application will contain either a certificate of liability insurance or evidence of self-insurance in compliance with R645-301-800.
117.200. A copy of the newspaper advertisements of the application for a permit, significant revision of a permit, or renewal of a permit, or proof of publication of the advertisements which is acceptable to the Division will be filed with the Division and will be made a part of the application not later than 4 weeks after the last date of publication as required by R645-300-121.100.
117.300. The plans of a facility or structure that is to be shared by two or more separately permitted coal mining and reclamation operations may be included in one permit application and referenced in the other applications. In accordance with R645-301-800, each permittee will bond the facility or structure unless the permittees sharing it agree to another arrangement for assuming their respective responsibilities. If such agreement is reached, then the application will include a copy of the agreement between or among the parties setting forth the respective bonding responsibilities of each party for the facility or structure. The agreement will demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Division that all responsibilities under the R645 Rules for the facility or structure will be met.
118. Filing Fee. Each permit application to conduct coal mining and reclamation operations pursuant to the State Program will be accompanied by a fee of $5.00.
120. Permit Application Format and Contents.
121. The permit application will:
121.100. Contain current information, as required by R645-200, R645-300, R645-301 and R645-302.
121.200. Be clear and concise; and
121.300. Be filed in the format required by the Division.
122. If used in the permit application, referenced materials will either be provided to the Division by the applicant or be readily available to the Division. If provided, relevant portions of referenced published materials will be presented briefly and concisely in the application by photocopying or abstracting and with explicit citations.
123. Applications for permits; permit changes; permit renewals; or transfers, sales or assignments of permit rights will contain the notarized signature of a responsible official of the applicant, that the information contained in the application is true and correct to the best of the official's information and belief.
130. Reporting of Technical Data.
131. All technical data submitted in the permit application will be accompanied by the names of persons or organizations that collected and analyzed the data, dates of the collection and analysis of the data, and descriptions of the methodology used to collect and analyze the data.
132. Technical analyses will be planned by or under the direction of a professional qualified in the subject to be analyzed.
140. Maps and Plans.
141. Maps submitted with permit applications will be presented in a consolidated format, to the extent possible, and will include all the types of information that are set forth on U.S. Geological Survey of the 1:24,000 scale series. Maps of the permit area will be at a scale of 1:6,000 or larger. Maps of the adjacent area will clearly show the lands and waters within those areas and be at a scale determined by the Division, but in no event smaller than 1:24,000.
142. All maps and plans submitted with the permit application will distinguish among each of the phases during which coal mining and reclamation operations were or will be conducted at any place within the life of operations. At a minimum, distinctions will be clearly shown among those portions of the life of operations in which coal mining and reclamation operations occurred:
142.100 . Prior to August 3, 1977;
142.200 . After August 3, 1977, and prior to either:
142.210. May 3, 1978; or
142.220 . In the case of an applicant or operator which obtained a small operator's exemption in accordance with the Interim Program rules (MC Rules), January 1, 1979;
142.300 . After May 3, 1978 (or January 1, 1979, for persons who received a small operator's exemption) and prior to the approval of the State Program; and
142.400 . After the estimated date of issuance of a permit by the Division under the State Program.
150. Completeness. An application for a permit to conduct coal mining and reclamation operations will be complete and will include at a minimum information required under R645-301 and, if applicable, R645-302.
160. Permit change, renewal, transfer, sale and assignment.
Procedures to change, renew, transfer, assign, or sell existing coal mining and reclamation permit rights are presented at R645-303.
KEY: reclamation, coal mines
Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [July 28, 2010]2012
Notice of Continuation: February 3, 2012
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 40-10-1 et seq.
Additional Information
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For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Steve Schneider at the above address, by phone at 801-538-5328, by FAX at 801-359-3940, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected].