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<br />Si~iE~'4ENi OE 6~SiS, SPECiriC Si~iUiORY RUi~ORIiY <br />aND PURPGSE <br />(Pursuant to .attachment C Revision) <br />4.14.1(2)(a) <br />This rule is amended to be consistent with proposed changes to <br />Rules 4.14.1(2)(f) and 4.14.1(Z)(g), which •.vill allow for less than complete <br />highwall elimination under certain conditions, in accordance with specific <br />provisions. <br />4.14.1(2)( 8 <br />This rule is added to allo~.v for less than complete highwall elimination under <br />certain conditions for underground mines with highwalls or face-up areas which <br />were in place prior to the August 3, 1977 passage c` the Federal Surface <br />Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) and 'which continued to operate in <br />the same location after that date. Federai Rule 3G CFR 816/817.106 <br />specifically allows for a variance from the highwall elimination requirement <br />for surface and underground operations if highwalls mere mined and abandoned <br />prior to August 3, 1977 and Subsequently re-mined dit?r 'that date, if certain <br />conditions are met. <br />4.14.1(Z>(f> will provide equitable treatment for underground mines •.vhich have <br />operated continuously since before the effective date of SMCRA. The rule •.vill <br />dfford the same variance from approximate original contour and highwall <br />elimination requirements as i5 provided in .0 CFR 816/817.106 for re-mining <br />5itz; where operation of a dre-SMCRA mine hds been interruotzd and mining ~.ad; <br />Begun dOdln di. the ;. _? df.?f Lhe 2ffeC='.`/? dd=? OT Si~1CR:;. <br />From 3 i?Chnjrdl ifld praC L`~C31 ;tdndCGln-. :`~e 3b111 ~_•/ ~- an Cpe"a-fir t0 <br />bacrfill d highwall to d ;table configura'`.on ~.vith a limited ;mount of ;;,oil <br />material may be imoes;ibi?, wnether the mine 'was operated ccntinuou;lv cr :•.a; <br />mined, abandoned and then r=-mined. For uncerground mines nhicn 'n a~~e been in <br />existence for ma mi years, the earthen mat?~~al necessary tc eliminate the <br />fact-up may either no lonae~ be available or may have been comp~ztely <br />reve?etated such that it; Handling and use :could causz ne•.v environme~tai <br />damage and disruption. <br />This situation is unique to underground m'ces ':mere hi?hrrdlls do no*. move •with <br />the C~dl extrdCtlOn (dS 'wl :f1 SU rT 3Ce mine;~ rut remain ;tdt1C for mdn'r '•re 3r5. <br />In many CdS2;, Underground .nine benches apt 3;;JCldted high'.ad'•~; :•Ih`C"1 'ne `°_ <br />created long before Sf•1CRA r?main in use 'tear and ar? proiect2c to continue in <br />usz for several decades. <br />