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

For Release December 8, 1998     
Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
jchildre@osmre.gov

         OSM SEEKS COMMENTS ON MOUNTAINTOP MINING REPORT

          Kathy Karpan, Director of the Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), today released an OSM draft oversight report on the
regulation of West Virginia coal mining operations commonly referred to as mountaintop
removal mines.

     Karpan said OSM will accept comments on the draft report through January
15,1999.  Copies can be: downloaded from OSM's home page (www.osmre.gov); obtained
from OSM's Charleston Field Office on (304)347-7158 or from OSM's Office of
Communications on (202)208-2719.

     "The draft report, complete with findings and proposed recommendations, was
developed by our Charleston Field Office in the context of the West Virginia regulatory
program, and reflects discussions at the OSM Headquarters level and includes the
Department of the Interior Solicitor's comments.  The West Virginia Division of
Environmental Protection (WVDEP) which administers the West Virginia surface mining
program assisted OSM in data gathering but has not formally commented on this draft
oversight report as an analysis by OSM.  The actual resolution of some of the issues the
report raises may have implications beyond the boundaries of West Virginia," Karpan said. 
"That's why I have decided to circulate the draft report for review and comment to interested
parties both within West Virginia and beyond."

     "I will consider all comments received as I work with the OSM Management Council
and the Interior Department's Solicitor's Office to reach final decisions on this matter and
issue a final report to address the mountaintop mining issues and related matters covered
in the report," Karpan added.

     Karpan explained that the report is a product of OSM's regular process of state 
program evaluation.  Most coal states operate their own programs for regulating
surface coal mining and reclamation.  Interior-approved state surface mining programs like
West Virginia's receive financial and technical support from OSM, plus regular operational
evaluations through a process known as federal oversight.

     All comments on the draft West Virginia oversight report should be directed to:
Office of Surface Mining, Patricia Hairston, 1951 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC
20240, e-mail: (PHAIRSTO@OSMRE.GOV).  For comments, questions, or media
inquiries, contact:  Al Klein, OSM Appalachian Regional Director on (412)937-2828.  

                              -DOI-