For Release February 9, 1999       Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
                                                                                          jchildre@osmre.gov

        OSM PROPOSES COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH INDIANA
       TO REGULATE SURFACE MINING, RECLAMATION ON FEDERAL
                             LANDS

     The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
(OSM) is proposing to adopt a cooperative agreement between the Department of the
Interior and the State of Indiana for the regulation and reclamation of surface and
underground coal mining operations on federal lands in the state.

     The proposal was published in the Federal Register of February 8, 1999, for public
review and comment.

     Under the proposed agreement, Indiana gets full regulatory and reclamation authority
over coal mining on federal lands in Indiana, as provided for in the Surface Mining Control
and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA).   The proposed agreement designates the Natural
Resource Commission (NRC) and the Division of Reclamation     (DOR) of the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources to administer the program, to include permit application
and review, enforcement, bonding, and inspections.  Those agencies already carry out
similar functions on all non-federal land in Indiana.

     The agreement calls for OSM to pay 100 percent of Indiana's costs for regulating
coal mining and reclamation on federal lands.  OSM already pays 50 percent of state costs
for Indiana's existing Interior-approved regulatory program covering coal mining and
reclamation on non-federal lands.

     Written comments on the proposal, and requests for additional information, should
be directed to Andrew R. Gilmore, Director, OSM Indianapolis Field Office, Minton-
Capehart Federal Building, 575 N. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indian 46204-1521
telephone (317) 226-6700.  Written comments must be received by
April 9, 1999.

     If  requested a public hearing on the proposed cooperative agreement will be held
March 25, 1999.  However, persons wishing to speak at the hearing must contact Gilmore
by March 1, 1999.  The location and time of the hearing will be arranged with the persons
requesting the hearing.  Persons needing special accommodations in order to participate in
the hearing should contact Gilmore by the same date.

                              -DOI-