OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING
     RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT

For Release February 7, 1997             Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
                                                                             jchildre@osmre.gov

                 OSM WATER PROTECTION DOCUMENT
               AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT VIA INTERNET

     Kathrine L. Henry, Acting Director of the Interior Department's Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), today announced that a major OSM
water resource protection document designed to maintain the proper hydrologic
balance at surface coal mining sites nationwide is now available for public review and
comment via the Internet.

     OSM customers can access the document, "Managing Hydrologic Information, A
Resource for Development of Probable Hydrologic Consequences (PHC) and
Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessments (CHIA), by setting Web browsers to
http//www.osmre.gov and clicking on "What's New."

     "This document is aimed at helping people involved with coal mining protect the
hydrologic balance through the permitting process associated with the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act," Henry said.  Coal operators seeking mining permits
prepare PHCs, Henry said, and surface mining regulators prepare a CHIA as part of the
process leading to permit approval or denial.

     According to Henry, the  hydrology document is informational.  That is, it will not
establish a regulatory standard, and thus is not binding on OSM or state regulators.    
Instead, its purpose is to outline the regulatory requirements of the surface mining law
related to hydrology and overburden geology; describe approaches for responding to
those requirements; and identify resources electronically linked to selected hydrologic
data bases maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.


                                 

     "By making the document available to a widest possible audience via Internet,
we hope to receive maximum feedback regarding the value of this kind of document in
protecting the hydrologic balance," Henry said.  "We welcome all constructive
comments aimed at making it more understandable, more useful, and more complete
within the context of its intended purpose as a resource document."

     "The document is available for public comment in draft form until May 15, 1997,"
Henry said.  "After that, we can decide whether or how to revise it."  OSM will post all
comments or summaries of comments received on the Internet, along with OSM's
responses.

     To comment on the PHC/CHIA document, or for further information, contact
Douglas Growitz, (202) 208-2634, (dgrowitz@osmre.gov).  Comments also may be
forward by regular mail to Douglas Growitz, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation &
Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20240.

                              -DOI-

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