Mo. Code Regs. Ann. tit. 10, § 40-6.070
PURPOSE: This rule sets forth requirements for review, public participation and approval of permit applications and permit terms and conditions pursuant to sections 444.810, 444.815, 444.820, 444.835, 444.840, and 444.850, RSMo.
(1) Definitions. As used in subsections (7)(D) and (8)(I)—
(2) Public Notices of Filing of Permit Applications.
(A) An applicant for a permit shall place an advertisement in a local newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operations at least once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks. The applicant shall place the advertisement in the newspaper at the same time the complete permit application is filed with the director. The advertisement shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
applicant;
2. A map or description which shall—
rivers, streams, or other bodies of water, local landmarks, and any other information, including routes, streets, or roads and accurate distance measurements, necessary to allow local residents to readily identify the proposed permit area;
location and boundaries of the proposed permit area;
Geological Survey 7.5-minute quadrangle map(s) which contains the area shown or described; and
point;
application is available for public inspection under subsection (2)(D) of this rule;
to which written comments, objections, or requests for informal conferences on the application may be submitted under sections (3)–(5) of this rule; and
within one hundred feet (100') of the outside right-of-way of a public road or to relocate a public road, a concise statement describing the mine-related activities to be conducted within one hundred feet (100') of the outside right-of-way or, in the case of a relocation of a public road, the particular part to be relocated, where the relocation is to occur, and the duration of the relocation.
tion for a permit, the director, within ten (10) days, shall issue written notification of—
mine a particularly described tract of land;
be inspected; and
may be submitted under section (3) of this rule.
(C) The written notifications shall be sent to—
agencies with jurisdiction over or an interest in the area of the proposed operations and reclamation including, but not limited to, the local office of the Soil Conservation Service, the local United States Army Corps of Engineers district engineer, the National Park Service, other general governmental entities, and fish and wildlife and historic preservation agencies;
jurisdiction to act with regard to land use, air, or water quality planning in the area of the proposed operations;
ties and water companies, either providing sewage or water services to users in the area of the proposed operations or having water sources or collection, treatment, or distribution facilities located in these areas; and
agencies with authority to issue all other permits and licenses needed by the applicant in connection with operations proposed in the application.
(D) The applicant shall—
application for a permit available for the public to inspect and copy. This shall be done by filing a copy of the application with the recorder of deeds at the courthouse of the county where the mining is proposed to occur; and
tion under paragraph (2)(D)1. of this rule by the first date of newspaper advertisement of the application. The applicant shall file any subsequent revision of the application with the recorder of deeds at the same time as the revision is submitted to the commission or director.
(3) Opportunity for Submission of Written Comments on Permit Applications.
(30) days after the last publication of the newspaper advertisement required by subsection (2)(A) of this rule.
(4) Right to File Written Objections.
(B) Upon receipt of any written objections, the director shall immediately—
cant; and
the office of the recorder of deeds where the applicant filed a copy of the application for permit under subsection (2)(D) of this rule.
(5) Informal Conferences.
in writing, may request that the director hold an informal conference on the application for a permit. The request shall—
raised by the requestor at the conference;
have the conference conducted in the locality of the proposed mining operations; and
after the last publication of the newspaper advertisement in subsection (2)(A) of this rule.
(B) Except as provided in subsection (5)(C) of this rule, if an informal conference is requested in accordance with subsection (5)(A) of this rule, the director shall hold an informal conference within thirty (30) days following the receipt of the request. The informal conference shall be conducted according to the following:
of this rule, the informal conference shall be held in the locality of the proposed mining;
informal conference shall be advertised by the director in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the proposed mine at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled conference;
ence requestor, within a reasonable time prior to the conference, the director shall arrange with the applicant to grant parties to the conference access to the mine plan area for the purpose of gathering information relevant to the conference; and
the director, who may accept oral or written statements and any other relevant information from any party to the conference. An electronic or stenographic record shall be made of the conference proceeding, unless waived by all the parties. The record shall be maintained and shall be accessible to the parties to the conference until final release of the applicant’s performance bond pursuant to 10 CSR 40-7.
(6) Public Availability of Permit Application on File With the Commissioner or Director.
(C) Confidentiality. The director shall provide notice and the opportunity to be heard for persons both seeking and opposing disclosure, when this request is made through the procedures outlined in section (5) of this rule, to ensure confidentiality of qualified confidential information, which shall be clearly identified by the applicant and submitted separately from the remainder of the application. Confidential information is limited to information—
the chemical and physical properties of the coal to be mined, except information on components of the coal which are potentially toxic in the environment;
RSMo, that is not on public file pursuant to state law and that the applicant has requested in writing to be held confidential; and
logical resources on public land and Indian land as required under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (P. L. 96- 95, 93 Stat. 721, 16 U.S.C. 470).
(7) Review of Permit Applications.
(A) Review by the Director and Determination of the Adequacy of the Fish and Wildlife Plan. The director shall—
written comments, written objections submitted, and records of any informal conference held under sections (3)–(5) of this rule;
and wildlife plan submitted pursuant to 10 CSR 40-6.050(7) or 10 CSR 40-6.120(12), in consultation with state and federal fish and wildlife management and conservation agencies having responsibilities for the management and protection of fish and wildlife or their habitats which may be affected or impacted by the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operations; and
required under 10 CSR 40-6.040(11) and the protection and enhancement plan required 10 CSR 40-6
under this section to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for its review within ten (10) days of receipt of the request from the service.
(C) Based on available information concerning federal and state failure-to-abate cessation orders, unabated federal and state imminent harm cessation orders, delinquent civil penalties, bond forfeitures where violations upon which the forfeitures were based have not been corrected, delinquent abandoned mine reclamation fees and unabated violations of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to air or water environmental protection incurred in connection with any surface coal mining operation, the director shall not issue the permit if the applicant, operator, or any surface coal mining and reclamation operation owned or controlled by either the applicant, operator, or by any person who owns or controls the applicant or operator is currently in violation of any federal or state surface coal mining law or any other law or regulation referred to in subsection (7)(C). In the absence of a failure-toabate cessation order, the regulatory authority may presume that a notice of violation issued pursuant to 10 CSR 40-8.030(7) or under a federal or state program has been or is being corrected to the satisfaction of the agency with jurisdiction over the violation, except where evidence to the contrary is set forth in the permit application or where the notice of violation is issued for nonpayment of abandoned mine reclamation fees or civil penalties. If a current violation exists, the regulatory authority shall require the applicant, operator, or person who owns or controls the applicant or operator, before the issuance of the permit, to either—
the regulatory authority, department, or agency which has jurisdiction over the violation that the violation—
that the applicant, operator, or any person owned or controlled by either the applicant, operator, or any person who owns or controls the applicant, has filed and is presently pursuing, in good faith, a direct administrative or judicial appeal to contest the validity of the current violation. If the initial judicial review authority affirms the violation, then the applicant, within thirty (30) days of the judicial action, shall submit the proof required under paragraph (7)(C)1. of this rule.
(8) Criteria for Permit Approval or Denial. No permit or revision application shall be approved, unless the application affirmatively demonstrates, and the director finds, in writing, on the basis of information set forth in the application or from information otherwise available, which is documented in the approval and made available to the applicant, that—
(D) The proposed permit area is not—
unsuitable for surface coal mining operations under 10 CSR 40-5.020;
nation as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations in an administrative proceeding begun under 10 CSR 40-5.020, unless the applicant demonstrates that, before January 4, 1977, s/he has made substantial legal and financial commitments in relation to the operation for which s/he is applying for a permit;
tions or limitations of 10 CSR 40-5.010(2);
outside right-of-way line of any public road, except as provided for in 10 CSR 40- 5.010(5)(B); or
any occupied dwelling, except as provided for in 10 CSR 40-5.010(2)(E) and (6)(B);
(G) If applicable, the applicant has either—
graph (7)(C)1. of this rule; or
paragraph (7)(C)2. of this rule;
(M) For a proposed remining operation where the applicant intends to reclaim in accordance with the requirements of 10 CSR 40-4.080, the site of the operation is a previously mined area as defined in 10 CSR 40- 8.010(1)(A)72. The applications must contain:
ronmental and safety problems related to prior mining activity which could reasonably be anticipated to occur at the site. This identification shall be based on a due diligence investigation which shall include visual observations at the site, a record review of past mining at the site, and environmental sampling tailored to current site conditions; and
address these potential environmental and safety problems so that reclamation as required by the applicable requirements of the regulatory program can be accomplished.
(9) Criteria for Permit Approval or Denial— Existing Structures.
(A) No application for a permit or revisions which proposes to use an existing structure in connection with or to facilitate the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation shall be approved, unless the applicant demonstrates and it is found, in writing, on the basis of information set forth in the complete application that—
existing structure in accordance with the exemption provided in 10 CSR 40- 8.070(2)(D)1.A.—
mance standards of the Act and 10 CSR 40-3 and 10 CSR 40-4; and
ment or public health or safety will result from use of the structure; and
used—
an existing structure in accordance with the exemption provided in 10 CSR 40- 8.070(2)(D)1.B.—
mance standards of the law and 10 CSR 40- 2; and Reclamation Operations and Coal Exploration
environment or public health or safety will result from use of the structure; and
10 CSR 40-2 are at least as stringent as performance standards of 10 CSR 40-3 and 10 CSR 40-4; and
the criteria of subparagraphs (9)(A)1.A. and B. of this rule, but does not meet the criterion of 10 CSR 40-8.070(2)(D)1.C., the applicant shall submit a compliance plan for modification or reconstruction of the structure and it must be found prior to the issuance of the permit that—
tion of the structure will bring the structure into compliance with the design and performance standards of 10 CSR 40-3 and 10 CSR 40-4 as soon as possible, but not later than six (6) months, after issuance of the permit;
ronment or to public health or safety is not significant during the period of modification or reconstruction; and
structure to determine compliance with the performance standards of 10 CSR 40-3 and 10 CSR 40-4.
(10) Permit Approval or Denial Actions.
(A) The director shall approve, require modification of or deny all applications for permits on the basis of—
and revisions or renewals of permits;
this chapter;
visions of 10 CSR 40-6.060; and
as required by this rule.
(B) The director shall take action as required under subsection (10)(A) of this rule, within the following times:
Except as provided for in paragraph (10)(B)3. of this rule, a complete application submitted within two (2) months after approval of the state program by the secretary of the interior shall be processed by the director so that an application is approved or denied—
date of approval by the secretary of the interior of a regulatory program, unless the state or the commission and director are specifically enjoined from submitting a state program or the commission and director are specifically enjoined from implementing a regulatory program but in no case later than eight (8) months after program approval; and
held pursuant to section (5) of this rule, within sixty (60) days from the close of the conference;
programs. Except as provided for in paragraph (10)(B)3. of this rule, a complete application submitted in accordance with subsection (4)(B) of this rule shall be processed by the director, so that an application is approved or denied within the following times:
held under section (5) of this rule, within sixty (60) days of the close of the conference; and
held under section (5) of this rule, then within sixty (60) days after the last publication of notice; and
mentioned provisions of this section, no time limit requiring the commission or director to act shall be considered expired from the time the commission or director initiates a proceeding under subsection (7)(D) of this rule until the final decision of the hearing body.
(E) The director shall simultaneously give a copy of his/her decision to—
cial who filed a written objection or comment with respect to the application; and
together with a copy of any permit issued.
tion of the lands within the permit area.
(11) Improvidently-Issued Permit.
(A) General Procedures.
reason to believe a surface coal mining and reclamation permit was improvidently issued, s/he shall review the circumstances under which the permit was issued, using the criteria in paragraph (11)(A)2. of this rule. Where the regulatory authority finds that the permit was improvidently issued, it shall comply with paragraph (11)(A)3. of this rule.
find that a surface coal mining and reclamation permit was issued improvidently if—
ria of the regulatory program at the time the permit was issued—
not have issued the permit because of an unabated violation or a delinquent penalty or fee; or
presumption that a notice of violation was in the process of being corrected to the satisfaction of the agency with jurisdiction over the violation, but a cessation order subsequently was issued;
B. The violation, penalty, or fee—
quent; and
faith appeal, or of an abatement plan or payment schedule with which the permittee or other person responsible is complying to the satisfaction of the responsible agency; and
the violation, penalty, or fee through ownership or control, under the violations review criteria of the regulatory program at the time the permit was issued an ownership or control link between the permittee and the person responsible for the violation, penalty, or fee still exists, or where the link was severed the permittee continues to be responsible for the violation, penalty, or fee.
under paragraph (11)(A)2. of this rule, finds that because of an unabated violation or a delinquent penalty or fee a permit was issued improvidently, s/he shall use one (1) or more of the following remedial measures:
of the permittee or other person responsible and of the responsible agency, a plan for abatement of the violation or a schedule for payment of the penalty or fee;
requiring that in a reasonable period of time the permittee or other person responsible abate the violation or pay the penalty or fee;
tion is abated or the penalty or fee is paid; or
tion (11)(B) of this rule.
er a provisionally issued permit to be improvidently issued, and must immediately initiate procedures under 10 CSR 40-6.070(11) to suspend or rescind that permit, if—
the specified abatement period;
operator, or operations that the applicant or the applicant’s operator own or control do not comply with the terms of an abatement plan or payment schedule;
judicial review, the disposition of a challenge and any subsequent administrative review of this section affirms the validity of the violation or the ownership or control listing or finding; or
of this section affirms the validity of the violation or the ownership or control listing or finding.
(B) Suspension and Rescission Procedures.
subparagraph (11)(A)3.D. of this rule, elects to suspend or rescind an improvidently-issued permit shall serve on the permittee and post at its nearest office to the permit area a notice of proposed suspension and rescission which includes the reasons for the finding of the regulatory authority under paragraph (11)(A)2. of this rule and states that—
es to suspend the applicant’s permit, the regulatory authority will provide sixty (60) days notice and the permit will automatically become suspended. If the regulatory authority proposes to rescind the applicant’s permit, the regulatory authority will provide one hundred twenty (120) days notice and the applicant’s permit will be automatically rescinded. These periods will be followed unless the permittee submits proof and the regulatory authority finds that—
authority under paragraph (11)(A)2. of this rule was erroneous; (II) The permittee or other person responsible has abated the violation on which the finding was based, or paid the penalty or fee, to the satisfaction of the responsible agency; (III) The violation, penalty, or fee is the subject of a good faith appeal, or of an abatement plan or payment schedule with which the permittee or other person responsible is complying to the satisfaction of the responsible agency; or (IV) Since the finding was made, the permittee has severed any ownership or control link with the person responsible for, and does not continue to be responsible for, the violation, penalty, or fee; and B. When the permit is suspended or rescinded, written notification shall be provided to the permittee requiring the permittee to cease all surface coal mining and reclamation operations under the permit and shall be posted at the nearest office to the permit area, except for violation abatement and for reclamation and other environmental protection measures as required by the regulatory authority. 2. Right to appeal. If the permit is sus- pended or rescinded, the permittee may file an appeal for administrative review of the notice under Administrative Procedures and Review, Chapter 536, RSMo. This review shall be requested within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the notice of suspension and rescission. The requested hearing shall be held before the commission within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the request. The commission shall issue its decision within thirty (30) days of the hearing. (12) Permit Terms. (A) Each permit shall be issued for a fixed term not to exceed five (5) years. A longer fixed permit term may be granted, if— 1. The application is full and complete for the specified longer term; and 2. The applicant shows that a specified longer term is reasonably needed to allow the applicant to obtain necessary financing of equipment and the opening of this operation and the need is confirmed, in writing, by the applicant’s proposed source for the financing. (B) Termination and Extension Conditions. 1. A permit shall terminate, if the per- mittee has not begun the surface coal mining and reclamation operation covered by the permit, within three (3) years of the issuance of the permit. 2. The commission may grant reason- able extensions of time for commencement of these operations upon receipt of a written statement showing that these extensions of time are necessary, if— A. Litigation precludes the com- mencement or threatens substantial economic loss to the permittee; or B. There are conditions beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the permittee. 3. With respect to coal to be mined for use in a synthetic fuel facility or specified major electric generating facility, the permittee shall be deemed to have commenced surface mining operations at the time that the construction of the synthetic fuel or generating facility is initiated. 4. Extensions of time granted under this subsection shall be specifically set forth in the permit and notice of the extension shall be made to the public. (C) Permits may be suspended, revoked, or modified in accordance with 10 CSR 40- 6.060(1)–(3) and (5), 10 CSR 40-6.090(3), and 10 CSR 40-8.030. (13) Conditions of Permits—General and Right of Entry. Each permit shall ensure that— (A) Except to the extent that the commission or director otherwise directs in the permit that for specific actions be taken, the permittee shall conduct all surface coal mining and reclamation operations as described in the complete application; (B) The permittee shall allow the authorized representative of the secretary of the interior, the commission, director, or authorized representatives, without advance notice or a search warrant, upon presentation of appropriate credentials and without delay, to— 1. Have the rights of entry provided for in 10 CSR 40-8.030(2); and 2. Be accompanied by private persons for the purpose of conducting an inspection when the inspection is in response to an alleged violation reported to the commission or director by the private person; (C) The permittee shall conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations only on those lands specifically designated on the maps submitted under 10 CSR 40-6.040 or 10 CSR 40-6.110, 10 CSR 40-6.050, or 10 CSR 40-6.120 and approved for the term of the permit and which are subject to the performance bond in effect pursuant to 10 CSR 40-7; (D) The operator shall pay all reclamation fees required by Subchapter R of Chapter 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations for coal produced under the permit for sale, transfer, or use in the manner required by that subchapter; and (E) Within thirty (30) days after a cessation order is issued under 10 CSR 40-8.030(6) for operations conducted under the permit, except where a stay of the cessation order is granted and remains in effect, the permittee shall either submit to the regulatory authority the following information, current to the date the cessation order was issued, or notify the regulatory authority in writing that there has been no change since the immediately preceding submittal of that information: 1. Any new information needed to cor- rect or update the information previously submitted to the regulatory authority by the permittee under 10 CSR 40-6.030(1)(C); or and Reclamation Operations and Coal Exploration 2. If not previously submitted, the infor- mation required from a permit applicant by 10 CSR 40-6.030(1)(C). (14) Conditions of Permits—Environment, Public Health, and Safety. Each permit shall ensure and contain specific conditions requiring that the permittee shall— (A) Take all possible steps to minimize any adverse impact to the environment or public health and safety resulting from noncompliance with any term or condition of the permit, including, but not limited to: 1. Any accelerated or additional moni- toring necessary to determine the nature and extent of noncompliance; 2. Immediate implementation of mea- sures necessary to comply; and 3. Warning, as soon as possible after learning of the noncompliance, any person whose health and safety is in imminent danger due to the noncompliance; (B) Dispose of solids, sludge, filter backwash, or pollutants removed in the course of treatment or control of waters or emissions to the air in the manner required by 10 CSR 40- 3 and 10 CSR 40-4, by the regulatory program and which prevents violation of any other applicable state or federal law; and (C) Conduct its operations— 1. In accordance with any measures specified in the permit as necessary to prevent significant, imminent environmental harm to the health or safety of the public; and 2. Utilizing any methods specified in the permit in approving alternative methods of compliance with the performance standards of the regulatory program, in accordance with the provisions of the law, subsection (8)(M) of this rule and 10 CSR 40-3 and 10 CSR 40-4. AUTHORITY: sections 444.530 and 444.810, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed Oct. 12, 1979, effective Feb. 11, 1980. Amended: Filed April 14, 1980, effective Aug. 11, 1980. Amended: Filed July 15, 1980, effective Nov. 13, 1980. Amended: Filed Aug. 1, 1980, effective Dec. 11, 1980. Amended: Filed Dec. 10, 1980, effective April 11, 1981. Amended: Filed Jan. 5, 1987, effective July 1, 1987. Amended: Filed Dec. 15, 1987, effective April 1, 1988. Amended: Filed June 2, 1988, effective Aug. 25, 1988. Amended: Filed Jan. 5, 1989, effective April 1, 1989. Amended: Filed March 2, 1989, effective May 15, 1989. Amended: Filed May 2, 1989, effective Aug. 1, 1989. Amended: Filed July 3, 1990, effective Nov. 30, 1990. Amended: Filed May 15, 1992, effective Jan. 15, 1993. Amended: Filed Sept. 15, 1994, effective April 30, 1995. Amended: Filed March 21, 2000, effective Oct. 30, 2000. Amended: Filed Dec. 17, 2012, effective July 30, 2013. Amended: Filed July 15, 2013, effective Jan. 30, 2014. *Original authority: 444.530, 1971, amended 1983, 1990, 1993, 1995 and 444.810, RSMo 1979, amended 1983, 1993, 1995.