Ground Control Plans for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
1219-0026 PUBLISHED 60 Day FRN June 4 2015 V80 p 31925.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-08-24
1219-0026 Supporting Statement 9-2015.doc Supporting Statement A	2015-08-28
Ground Control for Deep Cover UG Coal.pdf Supplementary Document	2012-08-21
Technical Assistance for Safe and Healthful Mining.docx Supplementary Document	2012-08-21
PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-02 - Ground Control.pdf Supplementary Document	2012-08-21

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
43813	Ground Control Plan Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1219-0026	ICR Reference No: 201507-1219-005
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201204-1219-006
Agency/Subagency: DOL/MSHA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Ground Control Plans for Surface Coal Mines and Surface Work Areas of Underground Coal Mines
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 03/24/2016
	Date Received in OIRA: 10/22/2015
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	03/31/2019	36 Months From Approved	03/31/2016
Responses	140	0	844
Time Burden (Hours)	1,011	0	5,840
Cost Burden (Dollars)	266	0	2,844

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Abstract: Each operator of a surface coal mine is required under 30 CFR 77.1000 to establish and follow a ground control plan that is consistent with prudent engineering design and which will ensure safe working conditions. The mine operator is required by § 77.1000-1 to file the ground control plan under § 77.1000 for highwalls, pits and spoil banks with the appropriate District Manager. The mining methods employed by the operator are selected to ensure highwall, pit, and spoil bank stability. In the event of a highwall failure or material dislodgment, there may be very little time to escape possible injury; therefore, preventive measures must be taken. Each plan is based on the type of strata expected to be encountered, the height and angle of highwalls and spoil banks, and the equipment to be used at the mine. The plan is used to show how the mine operator will maintain safe conditions around the highwalls, pits, and spoil banks. Each plan is reviewed by MSHA to ensure that highwalls, pits, and spoil banks are maintained in a safe condition through the use of sound engineering design.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 30 USC 813(a) and (h) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	80 FR 31925	06/04/2015
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	80 FR 64019	10/22/2015
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Ground Control Plan

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	140	844	0	0	-704	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,011	5,840	0	0	-4,829	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	266	2,844	0	0	-2,578	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Respondents: There has been an decrease of 704 respondents (from 844 to 140) due to a change in the number of surface coal mines. Responses: There has been a decrease of 704 responses (from 844 to 140) due to a decrease in the number of surface coal mines. Burden Hours: There has been a decrease of 4,829 hours (from 5,840 to 1,011). The decrease in burden hours is due to the decrease in the number of surface coal mines and responses. Annual Cost Burden: There has been a decrease of $2,578 (from $2,844 to $266). The decrease in cost burden is mainly due to the decrease in responses.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $3,600

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 10/22/2015

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