Interior Department approves West Virginia mining program amendments

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has approved several changes to West Virginia’s state-level coal mining regulatory program. These updates were submitted by the state in 2011 following legislative revisions aimed at modernizing permit processes and adjusting fees.

Why it matters: This action finalizes federal oversight of specific West Virginia regulatory updates that have been in place on an interim basis for over a decade. It ensures that the fees collected by the state are legally recognized as reasonable and necessary to cover administrative costs under federal law.

Who it affects

• Surface coal mining companies operating in West Virginia, who must pay updated permit and prospecting fees.

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This decision was issued by the Interior Department’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement; readers should consult the original Federal Register document for full legal details before relying on this summary.

Agency: Interior Department, Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office
Source: Federal Register — read the official document