Mining Office Requests Ongoing Data Collection Approval
Published Date: 7/23/2025
Notice
Summary
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement wants to keep collecting some important info to do their job right. This affects mining companies and anyone involved in surface mining rules. They’re asking for approval to continue this paperwork, so nothing changes for now, but it keeps things running smoothly without extra costs or delays.
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Document
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
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The Office of Surface Mining is officially wiping away old coal fee rates that covered 2012 to 2021 because they’re outdated.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.
2026-17055, 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.
2026-14244, Montana Regulatory Program
Montana updated its coal mining rules to say that if heavy storms overflow siltation ponds, operators won’t be in trouble as long as they built the ponds right and fix them quickly when they can. This change, approved by the federal government, affects coal mine operators and kicks in on August 14, 2026. It helps protect operators from penalties during extreme weather without costing extra money upfront.
2026-14245, Montana Regulatory Program
Montana’s new mining rules let companies use smart predictions and real data to show they’ve cleaned up mining sites properly. The state can now keep some money back if certain pollution problems stick around. These changes kick in on August 14, 2026, affecting coal miners and the environment while making sure cleanup is done right.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-13864, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension: Rule 18a-4
The SEC is asking for feedback on extending a rule that helps keep track of how certain financial firms handle security-based swaps, making sure customer assets stay safe. This affects non-broker-dealer swap dealers and major participants, with an estimated 8,497 hours of work yearly. Comments are open until September 22, 2025, so now’s the time to speak up and help shape the process!
Next: 2025-13867, Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Permit Applications-Minimum Requirements for Legal, Financial, Compliance, and Related Information
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement wants to keep collecting important info from people applying for permits. This helps make sure applications have all the legal, financial, and compliance details needed. If you’re applying for a permit, get ready for this paperwork to continue—no new costs or big changes, just keeping things running smoothly.