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

For Release:  October 25, 2000               Jerry Childress (202) 208-7941
                                   jchildre@osmre.gov

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR BAT CONSERVATION AND MINING FORUM  

The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement (OSM) today
announced that registration is open for participants in a Bat Conservation and Mining Technical
Interactive Forum to be held at the St. Louis Airport Hilton in St. Louis, Missouri, November 14
16, 2000.

Registration for the forum should be sent to Bat Conservation & Mining, Division of Continuing
Education, Washington Square, Building C, Mail Code 6705, Sourthern Illinois University,
Carbondale, IL 62901-6705.  Applications will be accepted up to the date of the forum.  Point of
contact for further information is Kimery Vories (OSM), call (618) 463-6463 extension 103,
FAX (618) 463 6470, or E-Mail kvories@osmre.gov.  Internet access to information about the
forum including registration forms, agenda, and secured on-line registration is available at
www.mcrcc.osmre.gov.

According to OSM Acting Director Kathrine L. Henry,  the forum, co-sponsored by OSM, Bat
Conservation International (BCI), and Southern Illinois University, is intended to provide an
organized format for discussion of issues about the protection of bats and their habitats
associated with both underground and surface mining operations.  Henry will be a keynote
speaker at the forum, speaking about OSM's perspective on Bat Conservation.

The forum will include summary talks by knowledgeable speakers who can explain existing
scientific and technical literature as well as various interest group perspectives and
recommendations, and region and agency specific program development associated with
protecting bats and their habitats.  The summaries and all discussions will be published in a
formal proceedings available to all participants.

  Henry explained that OSM and BCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding  in December of
1998 in order to establish a framework for cooperative efforts between the two organizations to
maintain and increase the conservation of bats and their habitats.

"OSM agreed to provide assistance to promote the education of OSM staff, State agencies, and
Indian Tribes about the beneficial aspects of conserving bats, tested methods to safeguard bat
habitat and public health, and ways to mitigate for loss of bat roosts and habitat," Henry said. 
     
-OSM-

OSM news releases may be downloaded from OSM's website at:
http//www.osmre.gov/ocpress.htm.  Frequently requested information about OSM is available
24hours a day by Fax-on-Demand at: (202) 219-1703.