The Federal Highway Administration transferred to the state of Utah the responsibility for the preparation of EAs and EISs under NEPA for federal-aid highway projects.

SIP Proposal: New Mexico (1997 eight-hour NAAQS for Sunland Park through 2014; see above for direct final rule).

OSM approved an amendment to Montana's regulatory program under SMCRA regarding bond release responsibility periods for water management facilities and other support facilities.

OSM approved an amendment to Alabama's regulatory program under SMCRA regarding license fees, annual license updates, and blaster certification fees.

OSM proposed to approve revisions to Maryland's regulatory program concerning coal combustion byproducts under SMCRA.

OSM proposed to approve revisions to New Mexico's regulatory program under SMCRA concerning ownership and control rules.

OSM proposed to approve an amendment to Pennsylvania's regulatory program under SMCRA concerning limitations for post-mining discharges.

OSM proposed to approve an amendment to Pennsylvania's regulatory program under SMCRA that would remove a required amendment on regulatory exemptions for coal extraction incidental to the extraction of other minerals.

OSM approved an amendment to Montana's regulatory program under SMCRA concerning letters of credit issued by banks.

OSM approved an amendment to Louisiana's regulatory program and abandoned mine land reclamation plan under SMCRA covering a wide range of provisions.