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 1-26-22.pdf Supplementary Document	2022-03-29
1219-0026 Sup Statement 12-2021.docx Supporting Statement A	2022-03-30
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: 202203-1219-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201901-1219-002
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	Date Submitted to OIRA: 06/15/2022

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	07/31/2022
Responses	287	270
Time Burden (Hours)	1,962	1,848
Cost Burden (Dollars)	545	513

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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) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
   US Code: 30 USC 811(a) 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:
	87 FR 4047	01/26/2022
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	87 FR 36149	06/15/2022
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 Request	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	287	270	0	0	17	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,962	1,848	0	0	114	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	545	513	0	0	32	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 increase of 17 respondents (from 270 to 287) due to an increase in the number of active surface coal mines. Responses: There has been an increase of 17 responses (from 270 to 287) due to an increase in the number of respondents in the form of surface coal mines. Burden Hours: There has been an increase of 114 hours (from 1,848 to 1,962). The increase in burden hours is due to the increase in the number of surface coal mines and responses. Annual Cost Burden: There has been an increase of $32 in cost (from $513 to $545). The increase in cost burden is due to the increase in responses.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $8,867

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

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     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? No

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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: 06/15/2022

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