EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Schedule of reconciliation of the changes in the pension benefit obligations, fair value of Pension Plan assets and statement of the funded status

	2012			2011
	(in thousands)
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$	112,062		$	104,911
Changes in projected benefit obligations
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	104,911		$	102,097
Interest cost		4,498			4,519
Actuarial gain		5,990			2,411
Benefits paid		(3,337	)		(4,116	)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	112,062		$	104,911
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	67,284		$	61,388
Actual return on plan assets		14,495			(1,323	)
Employer contribution		8,276			11,335
Benefits paid		(3,337	)		(4,116	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	86,718		$	67,284
Funded status of the plan at end of year	$	(25,344	)	$	(37,627	)

        The amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):

Accrued liabilities	$	(95	)	$	(68	)
Noncurrent liabilities-other		(25,249	)		(37,559	)
Net amount recognized	$	(25,344	)	$	(37,627	)

        The amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at September 30, 2012 and 2011, and not yet reflected in net periodic benefit cost, are as follows (in thousands):

Net actuarial loss	$	(37,172	)	$	(43,781	)
Prior service cost		(1	)		(2	)
Total	$	(37,173	)	$	(43,783	)

Schedule of weighted average assumptions used for the pension calculations

	Years Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2010
Discount rate for net periodic benefit costs		4.33	%		4.48	%		5.42	%
Discount rate for year-end obligations		4.06	%		4.33	%		4.48	%
Expected return on plan assets		7.16	%		8.00	%		8.00	%

Schedule of components of net periodic pension expense (benefit)

	Years Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2010
	(in thousands)
Interest cost	$	4,498		$	4,519		$	4,825
Expected return on plan assets		(5,463	)		(5,050	)		(4,552	)
Amortization of prior service cost		2			—			—
Recognized net actuarial loss		3,567			2,976			2,295
Settlement/curtailment		—			28			—
Net pension expense (benefit)	$	2,604		$	2,473		$	2,568

Schedule of expected benefits to be paid from pension plan

Years Ended September 30,
2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018 - 2022		Total
$	6,477	$	5,555	$	5,997	$	6,593	$	6,350	$	36,900	$	67,872

Schedule of target allocation and the asset allocation for the Pension Plan

	Target Allocation			Percentage of Plan Assets At September 30,
Asset Category	2013			2012			2011
U.S. equities		56	%		55	%		56	%
International equities		14			12			13
Fixed income		25			25			30
Real estate and other		5			8			1
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%

Schedule of fair value of plan assets, summarized by level within fair value hierarchy

	Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Short-term investments	$	7,233	$	7,233	$	—	$	—
Mutual funds:
Domestic stock funds		36,209		36,209		—		—
Bond funds		21,458		21,458		—		—
International stock funds		10,069		10,069		—		—
Total mutual funds		67,736		67,736		—		—
Domestic common stock		10,543		10,543		—		—
Foreign equity stock		907		907		—		—
Oil and gas properties		299		—		—		299
Total	$	86,718	$	86,419	$	—	$	299

	Fair Value as of September 30, 2011
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Short-term investments	$	691	$	691	$	—	$	—
Mutual funds:
Domestic stock funds		28,288		28,288		—		—
Bond funds		20,127		20,127		—		—
International stock funds		8,848		8,848		—		—
Total mutual funds		57,263		57,263		—		—
Domestic common stock		8,252		8,252		—		—
Foreign equity stock		803		803		—		—
Oil and gas properties		275		—		—		275
Total	$	67,284	$	67,009	$	—	$	275

Summary of changes in fair value of plan's Level 3 assets

	Oil and Gas Properties
	Years Ended September 30,
	2012		2011
	(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	275	$	275
Unrealized gains relating to property still held at the reporting date		24		—
Balance, end of year	$	299	$	275