Backfilling and Grading

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 30 CFR Part 816 [Docket ID: OSM-2025-0025 S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 256S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A000 25XS501520] RIN 1029-AD03 AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior. ACTION: Direct final rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind an obsolete regulation that was suspended by the Secretary of the Interior in 1992 and that has been inoperative for 33 years. The regulations prescribed time and distance performance standards for the completion of rough backfilling and grading for surface mining operations. DATES: The amendments in this direct final rule lifting the suspension of 30 CFR 816.101 and removing the section are effective January 27, 2026, unless significant adverse comments are received by December 29, 2025. If significant adverse comments are received, OSMRE will publish a timely withdrawal or issue a new final rule that responds to significant adverse comments. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket Number OSM-2025-0025. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to Division of Regulatory Support, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Department of the Interior, Attn: James Tyree, 1849 C Street NW, Mail St…