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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 10-943

NOTICES

Availability of Technical Guidance

[40 Pa.B. 2715]
[Saturday, May 22, 2010]

 Technical guidance documents are available on the Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us (DEP Keywords: ''eLibrary''). The ''Technical Guidance Final Documents'' heading is the link to a menu of the various Department bureaus where each bureau's final technical guidance documents are posted. The ''Technical Guidance Draft Documents'' heading is the link to the Department's draft technical guidance documents.

 The Department will continue to revise its nonregulatory documents, as necessary, throughout 2010.

Ordering Paper Copies of Department Technical Guidance

 The Department encourages the use of the Internet to view and download technical guidance documents. When this option is not available, persons can order a paper copy of any of the Department's draft or final technical guidance documents by contacting the Department at (717) 783-8727.

 In addition, bound copies of some of the Department's documents are available as Department publications. Check with the appropriate bureau for more information about the availability of a particular document as a publication.

Changes to Technical Guidance Documents

 Following is the current list of recent changes. Persons who have questions or comments about a particular document should call the contact person whose name and phone number is listed with each document.

Notice of Intent to Rescind Technical Guidance

 DEP ID: 563-2000-105. Title: Coal Exploration by Slope Development. Description: Effective immediately, the Department is rescinding Technical Guidance Document 563-2000-655, relating to coal exploration by slope development. The procedures outlined in the guidance are no longer consistent with the Department's procedures for permitting underground anthracite coal mines and authorizing coal exploration by alternate methods.

 Requirements for underground anthracite coal mining operations have changed since 1997 when Technical Guidance Document 563-2000-655 was issued. The 1997 guidance does not reflect the current requirements and, in certain respects, provides conflicting information.

 In addition to the new requirements that have emerged since 1997, the Department decided to eliminate the option of pursuing a Phase 2 Permit as outlined in the guidance. The Phase 2 Permit was an option that was available to operators who needed to extract more than 250 tons of coal for purposes of extending their exploratory mine slopes to the depths necessary to fully assess their coal reserves. The Department found that operators rarely pursued this option and, moreover, that the option itself made it difficult to enforce the 250-ton regulatory limit on extracting coal for exploratory purposes.

 The Department is planning to develop a new technical guidance describing current procedures for exploring anthracite coal reserves by slope excavation. The new guidance will be released in draft form for public comment prior to final issue. In the interim, questions relating to alternative methods of exploring anthracite coal reserves should be directed to Nathan Houtz of the Pottsville District Mining Office at (570) 621-3118 or Gregory Shuler of the Bureau of Mining and Reclamation at (717) 783-1199. Contact: Questions regarding the rescinding of this technical guidance document should be directed to Gregory Shuler, P. G. at (717) 783-1199 or gshuler@state.pa.us.

 Effective Date: Upon publication of this notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

JOHN HANGER, 
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-943. Filed for public inspection May 21, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]


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