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Show I I REVIEW MINING REGULATIONS: Son. Garn reports from Washington One of the most explosive Issues in federal -state regulations regu-lations is the treatment of local land users by Federal agencies. The regulations recently proposed by the Bureau Bu-reau of Land Management governing surface mining provide a good example of reason for local concern. In early December the listen to the public and to the industry it will regulate, and attempt to strike a balance bal-ance between restrictions and practicality. Joint participation par-ticipation in formulating and instituting surface mining regulations will lead to optimal op-timal use of public lands with the highest standards of conservation. BLM proposed a number of regulations which would minimize the adverse environmental en-vironmental impact of surface sur-face mining. The normal 30-day 30-day commentperiodfollowed publication of the regulations, regula-tions, but because of the far-reaching far-reaching effect the regulations regula-tions would have on the mining min-ing industry and the pre-holiday pre-holiday timing, the 30 days were extended to 60. Even with the extension, news and details of the new rules are now only beginning begin-ning to reach mine operators in the field. In view of the impact these regulations would have on the mining " industry in Utah, it would be foolish to hurriedly instigate them without studying their total effects. I have ' recommended to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management a three -part process which would help the Bureau obtain broader broad-er support , for its efforts. In brief, I ihave suggested that : (1) before issuing a second set of proposals, the Bureau hold a series of discussion dis-cussion meetings in the field, with mining and environmental environ-mental groups, and other citizens, to give them some idea of the direction BLM is going; (2) a second set of proposals then be issued, with an adequate formal comment com-ment period; and then (3) that final regulations follow the formal comment period. I have also strongly suggested sug-gested that any regulations issued this year not become effective until after the upcoming up-coming field season. The regulations are now slated to ! go into effect this spring. This timing is extremely im -practical considering the current field season.; Operators Oper-ators are now contracting for men and equipment which will be needed for the sum -m er season. Any regulations changing the rules under which they operate would cause incredible confusion if the regulations were to be- come effective for this min-; min-; ing year. The field season ends in September and it would be more practical and cost effective if the changes were initiated October 1. That date would provide ample lead time for familiarization famil-iarization and adjustment. Surface mining and environmental envi-ronmental conservation are not, by nature, good bedfel lows. But it is possible to operate a successful surface ' mining operation while tak- Ing precautions to protect ie environment. ll Implementation of the new D& regulations will require a SS great amount of cooperation to between the Bureau of Land Management, the mining in-i5 in-i5 dustry and. the public. It is A only prudent that the BLM |