OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT

For Release January 18, 1995
Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719

ADVISORY BOARD ESTABLISHED BY OSM

Robert J. Uram, director of the Interior Department's Office of
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), today announced
the formation of an advisory committee - the OSM General Advisory
Board.

The board is intended to foster more interaction with the federal
government by citizens, the coal industry, and the states and
tribes in resolving issues related to implementing the Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), Uram said.

"This board will provide a forum for discussing regulatory and
reclamation issues of concern to coalfield residents, environmental
groups, Congress, industry, other state and federal agencies, and
the primacy states, which regulate surface coal mining within their
borders," Uram added.

The Secretary of the Interior will appoint 20-25 members to the
board, which will discuss major issues including:

--Ensuring that coal mines are operating in a manner that protects
citizens and the environment during mining; 
--Ensuring that land is restored to productive use after mining; 
--Mitigating the effects of past mining activities, including the
reclamation of abandoned coal mines;

--Establishing standards to govern the removal and reprocessing of
coal refuse from surface coal mining sites; and 
--Implementing SMCRA efficiently and effectively.

The point of contact for further information regarding OSM's
advisory board is
Melanie Wilson, (202) 2084609.

-DOI-