(a) Under cooperative agreements with States or Indian tribes having an approved AML reclamation plan:
- (1) States or Indian tribes will design, plan, and engineer a method of operation for control or extinguishment of the outcrop or underground mine fire, and will execute the project through a project contract, or, if the work is to be done in phases, a series of project contracts.
- (2) If OSM assistance is required, OSM will be reimbursed by the State or Indian tribe for all costs incurred, including OSM employees' time.
- (b) In States and on Indian lands under the jurisdiction of tribes not having approved AML reclamation plans and on Federal lands, OSM has the authority to design, plan, and engineer a method of operation for control or extinguishment of the outcrop or underground mine fire, and will execute the project through a project contract, or, if the work is to be done in phases, a series of project contracts. OSM, may, at its discretion, delegate authority to perform this work to States or Indian tribes or other Federal agencies.
[59 FR 52378, Oct. 17, 1994]