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

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
1219-0026 Supporting Statement 2025.docx Supporting Statement A	2025-02-26
1219-0026 60-day FRN Published on 12-27-2024.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-12-30
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: 202412-1219-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202203-1219-003
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: 05/22/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	07/31/2025
Responses	349	287
Time Burden (Hours)	2,398	1,962
Cost Burden (Dollars)	663	545

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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 811(a) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
   US Code: 30 USC 813(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:
	89 FR 105633	12/27/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 21951	05/22/2025
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	349	287	0	0	62	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	2,398	1,962	0	0	436	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	663	545	0	0	118	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: Number of Respondents: The estimated number of respondents has increased from 287 to 349 respondents (by 62 respondents). The increase is attributed to actual data taken from the MSHA Report Center rather than estimates made in the previous ICR. Number of Responses: The estimated number of responses has increased from 287 to 349 responses (by 62 responses). The increase is due to the increase in respondents. Annual Time Burden: The estimated annual time burden has increased from 1,962 to 2,398 (by 436 hours). The increase is due to the increase in respondents. Annual Burden Costs: The estimated annual burden costs have increased from $138,744 to $184,138 (by $45,394). The increase is due to the increase in respondents. Annual Other Burden Costs: Annual other burden costs have increased from $545 to $663 (by $118). The increase in cost burden is due to the increase in responses. Federal Hours: The estimated annual federal hours have increased from 144 to 175 (by 31 hours). The increase in cost burden is due to the increase in responses. Federal Costs: The estimated annual federal costs have increased from $8,867 to $13,159 (by $4,292). The increase in cost burden is due to the increase in responses.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $13,159

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: 05/22/2025

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