Current Rulemaking Activities

(Click Hyperlink to view proposed rule)

 

ALABAMA SURFACE MNING COMMISSION

NOTICE OF INTENDED ACTION

April 30, 2012: Proposed amendments to Standards for Revegetation Success on Reclaimed Coal Mine Lands.

AGENCY NAME:  ALABAMA SURFACE MNING COMMISSION

 

RULE NO. & TITLE:    (Please click on the hyperlinks below to view the proposed rule amendments)

 

1. Alabama Administrative Code 880-X-10C-.62: Revegetation: Standards for Success (Surface Coal Mining Operations)

2. Alabama Administrative Code 880-X-10D-.56: Revegetation: Standards for Success (Underground Coal Mining Operations)

 

 

INTENDED ACTION:  The Alabama Surface Mining Commission proposes to amend the above-listed rules.

 

SUBSTANCE OF PROPOSED ACTION:  The proposed rule amendment will change the standards for vegetation success for reclaimed mine lands which will be planted with trees or shrubs.  The current rule requires an herbaceous ground cover of at least 80% on such areas for some post-mining land uses.  Research and experience has shown that herbaceous ground cover of this density inhibits the growth of shrubs and trees and results in poor survival rates. The proposed rule will change this standard to require that herbaceous ground cover be sufficient to control erosion without setting a numeric standard. 

 

TIME, PLACE, MANNER OF PRESENTING VIEWS: 

Persons wishing to submit comments or suggestions concerning this rulemaking may do so in writing.  If requested by one or more persons, a public hearing will be held on      June 5, 2012           at   10:00 A.M.  in the ASMC Hearing Room, Third Floor, 1811 Second Avenue (Pinnacle Bank Building), Jasper, Alabama.  Written comments must be submitted no later than    5:00 p.m. on_    June 5, 2012________________, to:

 

Alabama Surface Mining Commission

Randall C. Johnson, Director

P. O. Box 2390

Jasper, Alabama 35502-2390

 

FINAL DATE FOR COMMENT AND COMPLETION OF NOTICE: 

         June 5, 2012

 

CONTACT PERSON AT AGENCY:  Randall C. Johnson, Director

 

 

 

                                                            RANDALL C. JOHNSON

                                                            Director

 

Copies of the proposed regulations are also available (either hard copy or on disc) at the Alabama Surface Mining Commission, 1811 Second Avenue, Second Floor, Pinnacle Bank Building, Jasper, Alabama.