OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING
     RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT

For Release November 1, 1995             Alan Cole (202) 208-2719

               182 OSM EMPLOYEES LOSE JOBS IN RIF

     The jobs of 182 federal civil service employees of the
Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement (OSM) are ending due to an agency-wide reduction in
force (RIF), the result of heavy budget cuts voted by Congress.

     Effective November 1, 1995, 42 separations take place in
OSM's Washington headquarters, including audit units and field
staff of the Applicant Violator System.  Thirty-one separations
from OSM's Western Region and 14 from the Mid-Continent Region
also become effective November 1.  Approximately 95 separations
from OSM's Appalachian Region are scheduled take effect November
21, 1995.

     An additional 52 positions originally identified for
abolishment have had their separation date extended from November
1 to November 20 pending final action on the agency's
appropriation. Seventy vacant positions have been abolished.

     OSM Director Robert J. Uram called the separations
"lamentable" and damaging to OSM's ability to administer the
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA).

     "OSM had already reduced the size of its staff and
streamlined its organizational structure before Congress voted to
inflict damaging budget cuts," Uram said.  "These lamentable
staff separations are the direct result of those cuts.  There is
no question that they will inevitably impair OSM's ability to
carry out basic functions under the surface mining law."

     "The cuts to our budget are unjustified," Uram said.  "They
will hurt our efforts to carry out our mission.  They will hurt
the families in the coal fields.  They are causing valued
employees to be separated from public service.  We continue to
oppose these damaging reductions."

     Uram noted that RIF planning in OSM began as soon as it
became clear Congress was likely to vote heavy budget cuts.  Aid
for displaced employees has included employment counseling and
job search assistance, he said, in addition to severance pay and
retirement annuities for those who are eligible.

     In August, 265 of OSM's 920 employees received separation
notices.  Some of those have already gone to new jobs in and out
of government, Uram said, while others have taken regular or
early retirement.  Meanwhile, Interior and inter-agency programs
offer priority hiring consideration to people who have lost their
jobs in the RIF, he said.

     "Although the most critical impact of the RIF is on our
ability to carry out agency responsibilities, we are also deeply
concerned about the effect of the RIF on the people facing
separation," Uram said.  "Their work has helped OSM reach a
higher level of success, so it is entirely appropriate that we do
whatever we can to support their transition into new employment
opportunities.  We will miss the men and women who are leaving. 
All of us will have a tough time trying to do our jobs without
them.  We wish them well."

                              -DOI-