Mining forms get OMB refresh: Yawn-worthy data collection renewal
Published Date: 1/29/2025
Notice
Summary
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement wants to renew a form they use to collect important info. This affects companies and people involved in mining, who might need to keep sharing data. They’re asking for public comments by March 31, 2025, to make sure the process is clear and not too much work.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
OSMRE Renews Mining Info Collection
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement proposes to renew an information collection for 30 CFR part 700 (OMB Control Number 1029-0094). It applies to State and Tribal governments and individuals, is a one-time collection with an estimated 5 respondents and 5 responses, and completion takes between 1 and 50 hours per response for a total estimated 63 annual burden hours; comments are invited by March 31, 2025.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-21443, Rescission of Fee Rates
The Office of Surface Mining is officially wiping away old coal fee rates that covered 2012 to 2021 because they’re outdated. New fee rates have been in place since October 1, 2021, and this rule makes it official starting January 27, 2026—unless folks speak up by December 29, 2025. This change mainly affects coal producers and keeps the fee system fresh and fair for years to come.
2026-17821, Montana Regulatory Program
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) published a document in the Federal Register on August 21, 2026, not approving, with one exception, an amendment to the Montana regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). OSM made an error in the document by adding an entry to 30 CFR 926.12 at paragraph (c), a paragraph that already existed. This document corrects the final regulation.
2026-17333, Montana Regulatory Program
We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are denying an amendment to the Montana regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Montana submitted this proposed amendment to OSM on its own initiative in response to a State law passed by the Montana Legislature (Senate Bill (SB) 392). The proposed amendment would have added a provision requiring equal application of court costs to the prevailing party in contested case proceedings by a court or administrative agency that issues a decision. The proposal would have also amended the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to refer to the proposed equal application of court costs rule. Finally, SB 392 includes contingencies that apply to the proposed amendment but are not codified into the MCA: codification instructions, a severability clause, an effective date clause, and an applicability statement.
2026-17055, Montana Regulatory Program
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is not approving, with one exception, an amendment to the Montana regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The Montana legislature, specifically Montana House Bill 328, proposes to add a definition of affected drainage basin to the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). Additionally, House Bill 328 proposes changes to the Montana Code Annotated, pertaining to bond release application requirements.
2026-16318, North Dakota Regulatory Program
North Dakota is updating its rules for surface mining to make things clearer and more efficient. These changes include new timelines for permits, creating a new Environmental Quality department, and shifting some duties to a new Water Resources department. The updates take effect on September 10, 2026, and affect anyone involved in mining permits and environmental oversight in the state.
2026-16136, Ohio Regulatory Program
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), is approving, in part, two amendments to the Ohio regulatory program (the Ohio program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). As proposed by Ohio, the amendment involves statutory and regulatory changes to its bonding program (i.e., revising Ohio's alternative bonding system and providing the option for an applicant to post full-cost performance securities) and also includes statutory and regulatory changes pertaining to other subjects, such as abandoned mine land program funding, permitting standards, valid existing rights, remining, blasting, and topsoil handling. Ohio submitted this amendment, in part, to satisfy a program condition related to bonding inadequacies. We are removing this program condition.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-01895, [S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 256S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A000 25XS501520; OMB Control Number 1029-0120] Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Nomination and Request for Payment Form for OSMRE's National Technical Training Courses
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement wants to keep using a form that helps people sign up and pay for their national training courses. This affects anyone interested in these courses and asks for public feedback by March 31, 2025. There’s no new cost, just a chance to make sure the form works well and isn’t a hassle.
Next: 2025-01897, Senior Executive Service (SES) Performance Review Board; Members
The National Archives just named new members to their Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board, effective January 29, 2025. This board reviews how top executives perform and helps decide their final ratings. If you’re a senior executive at NARA, these changes affect who evaluates your work, but there’s no direct money impact announced.