Department
of the Interior
Departmental
Manual
Effective Date: 10/27/04
Series: Organization
Part 116:
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Chapter 5:
Regional Organization
Originating Office:
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
116 DM 5
5.1 Regional Directorates. The three Regional Offices (Appalachian,
Mid-Continent, and Western) report to the Office of the Director/Deputy
Director (see attached map). They work
in their respective geographic areas to implement various programs of the
bureau related to the Title V regulatory program and the utilization of funds
under the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program of Title IV. These programs include issuing regulatory and
AML grants to States and Tribes with approved regulatory programs and AML
plans; serving as Regulatory Authority under Title V where there is no approved
State Regulatory Authority; conducting an AML program where there is no
approved State or Tribal AML Plan; requiring and processing revisions to approved
regulatory programs or AML plans; conducting oversight (evaluation) of approved
regulatory programs and AML plans; providing technical assistance and training
to States and Tribes; preparing and submitting
of Mine Plan Decision Documents for the approval of the Assistant Secretary -
Land and Minerals Management; and facilitating technology transfer among
and between States/Tribes and OSM, as well as with other organizations, (e.g.,
universities or other government agencies).
As a part of carrying out these responsibilities, the Regional Directors
are responsible for informal review under 30 CFR 842.15 of delegated decisions
not to inspect or enforce and, under 30 CFR 842.11, of delegated decisions on
Ten-Day Notice appeals. In carrying out
these responsibilities, the regions utilize a wide range of programmatic and
technical expertise as they work to elevate the quality and consistency of both
State and Federal regulatory programs and State/Tribal and Federal AML
programs.
The Regions also participate, as
requested, with the Program Support Directorate in the formulation of bureau
policy development and national rules. A
particular region may also be delegated nationwide responsibility for certain
functions, (e.g., administering OSM's Applicant/Violator System database and
related activities; maintaining OSM's Mine Map Repository which collects,
reproduces and maintains a national inventory of mine maps and supporting
documentation; and managing the Technical Innovative Professional Services activity
known as TIPS).
A. Field
Offices and Area Offices. To
effectively implement OSM's programs, some responsibilities of the regions are
further divided and delegated to Field Offices and/or area offices in order to
provide closer geographic proximity.
B. Location
of Regions. The Appalachian
Regional Office is located in the area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the
Mid-Continent Regional Office is in the area of St. Louis, Missouri; and the
Western Regional Office is in the area of Denver, Colorado.
