OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING
     RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT

For Release January 7, 1998                  Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
                                                           jchildre@osmre.gov

             OSM SPONSORS FEDERAL COAL SYMPOSIUM  

     The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement
(OSM) today announced it is sponsoring a Federal Coal Symposium on Wednesday,
January 21, 1998, at the South Interior Building auditorium, 1951 Constitution
Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

     OSM Director Kathy Karpan said the one-day symposium, which is free and
open to the public, is intended to provide a forum which will focus on patterns, trends,
and forecasts concerning the coal industry. 

     According to Karpan, the Symposium also offers an opportunity to explore best
practices among agencies in how to evaluate program performance and results,
including success measures, under the Government Performance and Results Act.
(GPRA).  

     "In accordance with GPRA, we intend to establish a common ground of
understanding of economic forecasts and other factors affecting the nature and future
of the coal industry ," Karpan said.  "I hope that the Symposium can also help to
assess, in a cooperative effort, how federal agencies involved with any aspect of coal
production or use   including safety, health, and environmental protection   can best
plan to meet future needs, to redirect scarce resources, and explore new ways of doing
business in a time of diminishing federal resources."

     The Symposium begins with an 8:00 a.m. plenary session.  Confirmed speakers
include:  Bob Armstrong, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals
Management, and Director Karpan.  Other invited speakers include: Pat Shea, Director,
Bureau of Land Management, and J. Davitt McAteer, Assistant Secretary for Mine
Safety and Health, Department of Labor.

     Other Federal speakers will be from the Energy Information Administration, who
will discuss their forecasts including short- and long-range factors impacting the
industry's future, plus significant patterns and trends that program agencies need to
take into account in their strategic planning.

     Additional Federal agencies invited to participate in the Symposium include the
Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Minerals Management
Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; U.S. Geological Survey; Office of Management and
Budget; Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the
Internal Revenue Service.  Key Congressional officials and staff have been invited to
attend.  

     Labor and coal industry representatives will also speak, including:  Gen. Richard
Lawson, President, National Mining Association and Joseph P. Brennan, President,
Bituminous Coal Operators' Association.  Invited speakers include  Cecil Roberts,
President, United Mine Workers of America, representatives from public interest groups
and academia.   

     For the remainder of the day, the symposium shifts to concurrent breakout
panels on topics, including:  

1 - 2:30 p.m.       Technology and Research
               Partnerships in Reclamation
               Outreach efforts to facilitate public participation

2:45 - 4:15 p.m.    Coal Information Management
               Patterns and trends in inspection, enforcement, and permitting

     Additional exhibits including computer systems, Internet, and related
demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day.

     Deadline for advance registration is January 14, 1998.  Registration can be
completed electronically at the OSM homepage (www.osmre.gov), by Fax, Mail, Phone,
or E-mail.  For registration information, contact Angela Herring (202) 208-2716, E-Mail: 
aherring@hdqgw.osmre.gov.

     For additional information about the symposium, contact George Stone,
Symposium Coordinator, (202) 208-7840 (gstone@osmre.gov).

                              -DOI-