### Question
How is the "Federal inspector" defined?


### Answer
The term **Federal inspector** is defined in *30 U.S.C. § 1252* as follows -

> personnel of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and such additional personnel of the United States Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, or of the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration so designated by the Secretary, or such other personnel of the Forest Service, Soil Conservation Service, or the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service as arranged by appropriate agreement with the Secretary on a reimbursable or other basis; [2](#1252_2_target)


#### (f) Interim period


Following the final disapproval of a State program, and prior to promulgation of a Federal program or a Federal lands program pursuant to this chapter, including judicial review of such a program, existing surface coal mining operations may continue surface mining operations pursuant to the provisions of this section

#### Citation:
  - *30 U.S.C. § 1252*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 25-SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION > SUBCHAPTER V-CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SURFACE COAL MINING**

