WASHINGTON, March 31 -- Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has issued a rule called: Backfilling and Grading.
The rule was published in the Federal Register on March 31 by Lanny E. Erdos, Director, Office of Surface Mining Exercising the Authority of the Assistant Secretary-Land Minerals Management.
Summary: The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is confirming the effective date of the direct final rule entitled, "Backfilling and Grading, " which was originally published on November 28, 2025. The direct final rule rescinded a regulation that prescribed time and distance performance standards for the completion of rough backfilling and grading for surface mining operations that were suspended by th...