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; delay of effective date. SUMMARY: The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is delaying the effective date of the direct final rule “Backfilling and Grading,” 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 The direct final rule rescinded a regulation that prescribed time and distance performance standards for the completion of rough backfilling and grading for surface mining operations, which was suspended by the Secretary of the Interior in 1992 but never removed from the Code of Federal Regulations. During the comment period, OSM received comments that require further review and consideration to determine whether they are significant adverse comments warranting a response, withdrawal, or modification of the final rule. DATES: As of January 27, 2026, the effective date of the direct final rule published November 28, 2025, at 90 FR 54573 is delayed until March 30, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Tyree, Chief, Division of Regulatory Support, (202) 208-4479, jtyree@osmre.gov . Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunica…