OSM NEWS
U. S. Department of the Interior         
Office of Surface Mining

For Release: October 13, 1999                Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
                                                  jchildre@osmre.gov
     
               OSM ISSUES DRAFT POLICY GUIDELINES 
          ON POSTMINING LAND USES FOR MOUNTAINTOP MINING

     Kathy Karpan, Director of the Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), today released draft policy guidelines which clarify
requirements for allowable postmining land uses under the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act (SMCRA).  

     The guidelines specifically address mountaintop removal and steep slope mining
operations where operators seek an exception to the requirement to restore disturbed lands to
approximate original contour (AOC).  AOC requires that mined land should closely resemble the
pre-mining landscape after reclamation is completed.  State regulatory authorities may grant a
variance from AOC if specified conditions are met.

     "This draft guidance should make clear what are permissible post mining land uses and
exceptions to the AOC requirements," Karpan said.  "SMCRA and OSM regulations allow
limited exceptions to AOC restoration requirements for mountaintop removal and steep slope
mining operations.  Congress even specified in the law which types of land use would qualify for
exceptions."  

     "There is consensus on what some of the allowed land uses should look like, such as
residential and industrial," Karpan noted.  "But, for a couple of others, specifically agricultural
and public use, there have been different interpretations of what qualifies.  This situation has led
to the approval of some postmining land uses that we believe are inconsistent with both the intent
and purpose of SMCRA," she continued.

     "I believe that we will see better reclamation, more land restored to approximate original
contours, and better environmental protection under this guidance," Karpan concluded.

     OSM will accept comments on the draft guidelines through November 13, 1999.  Copies
can be downloaded from OSM's home page www.osmre.gov, or be obtained from Ed Carey at
OSM's Appalachian Regional Coordinating Center on (412) 937-2907. Comments should be
forwarded to Carey at Three Parkway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15220, or via e-mail,
ecarey@osmre.gov.

-OSM-