[MPWG] OSM will propose new revegetation rule to encourage species diversity and remove,barriers to reforestation on mined lands

[Sonya]

Department of the Interior  http://www.doi.gov/
March 15, 2005  Contact: Mike Gauldin  For immediate release (202) 208-2565
mgauldin at osmre.gov    OSM will propose new revegetation rule  to 
encourage species diversity and remove
barriers to reforestation on mined lands
 
(Washington) The US Office of Surface Mining is proposing a rule that 
will encourage diversity of plant species on reclaimed mine lands and 
remove impediments to planting trees.The proposed rule is scheduled for 
publication Thursday, March 17 in the Federal Register. It also includes 
provisions which would provide States more flexibility in using success 
standards and sampling techniques and make the timing of revegetation 
success measurements consistent nationwide.

"This is an opportunity to make some relatively minor but significant 
changes that should pay big dividends in enhanced environmental values," 
said Jeff Jarrett, Director of OSM. "It is our hope that this 
revegetation effort, combined with our recent reforestation initiatives, 
is going to take us a long way toward restoring mined lands to the kind 
of healthy, thriving and diverse landscapes that existed before mining 
took place."

The proposed rule would make minor changes to OSM's regulations 
governing topsoil replacement and revegetation success standards. A 
public outreach initiative to review and assess the revegetation 
regulations was conducted prior to publishing the rule and included ten 
public meetings held around the country. The rule is being proposed in 
response to several revegetation issues that have been raised both by 
the public and internally within OSM.

These proposed revisions will:
encourage species diversity on reclaimed land by allowing variable 
topsoil depth replacement;
remove an impediment to the reforestation of mined lands by providing 
more flexibility in demonstrating compliance with the time in place 
requirements;
set minimum conditions that must be satisfied for lands with a 
post-mining land use of "undeveloped land;"
The rule will also improve implementation of revegetation efforts by:

giving States flexibility to adopt additional success standards and new 
sampling techniques by removing the current requirement that such 
changes have to be approved by the federal government;  providing a 
practical means of measuring woody shrubs commonly planted in the West 
by allowing the inclusion of woody plants that are present on reclaimed 
lands as a result regeneration or plant succession;
improving revegetation incentives in arid areas by making success 
measures in those regions consistent with those in areas with more 
annual precipitation by eliminating the requirement that revegetation 
success be demonstrated in consecutive years in areas receiving less 
than 26 inches of precipitation.

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposed changes. Those wishing 
to comment on this proposed rule may do so by one of three methods: mail 
or hand-carry comments to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and 
Enforcement, Administrative Record, Mail Stop 101, 1951 Constitution 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20240 or send comments via electronic mail to 
rules_comments at osmre.gov.
http://www.doi.gov/news/05_News_Releases/050316b
 
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