OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING
For Release September 28, 1990
Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719

O.S.M. PROPOSES NEW RULE FOR BOND RELEASE CERTIFICATION

The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is
proposing to amend its bonding regulations so that a written,
notarized statement from coal mine operators, certifying their
completion of each phase of reclamation at surface coal mine sites,
is required prior to each phase of bond release.

The amendment is designed to make sure that, before bonds are
released, all reclamation activities have been accomplished as
required by the surface mine regulatory program and the mine
operator's approved permit.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register of
September 25, 1990, for public review and comment.

Current OSM regulations require a permittee to take out a newspaper
advertisement describing the nature, extent, and results of the
reclamation work for which he or she is requesting bond release. 
In this standard, it is implicit that all requirements of the
regulatory program. and the individual mining permit have been met.

OSM believes that the current procedure can be improved and that
better environmental performance can be assured by an exact
statement specifying the reclamation that has been completed.

Written comments on the proposed rule should be delivered to the
Administrative Record, Office of Surface Mining, Room 5131-L, 1951
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, no later than
November 26, 1990.

Public hearings will be held upon request in Washington, D.C., and
in states with federal Surface Mining Act programs.  Requests for
hearings or additional information should be directed to John
Mosesso, Office of Surface Mining, 1951 Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20240, (202) 343-1480.