For Release APRIL 2, 1998                                         Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
                                                                                          jchildre@osmre.gov

               FEDERAL COAL SYMPOSIUM COMPENDIUM
                 AVAILABLE ON WORLD WIDE WEB  

     The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement
(OSM) today announced Internet publication of a compendium of information compiled
to document the proceedings of OSM's Federal Coal Symposium held January 21,
1998, in Washington, D.C.

     The 23-page document is available to the general public from OSM's home page
on the World Wide Web (http://www.osmre.gov).

     OSM Director Kathy Karpan called the one-day symposium "an unqualified
success which exceeded all of our expectations.  Lines of communication have been
established for the first time, or renewed, as a result of the symposium.  Several spin-offs have occurred that resulted from the information and contact exchange that
transpired during the event."

     OSM decided to publish summarized proceedings of the symposium to further
foster the exchange of information resulting from the meetings, which were attended by
over 250 people, including stakeholders from government, industry, environmental
organizations, and citizen groups, according to Karpan.  "It was the largest event OSM
has ever hosted," she added.

     "The symposium has improved OSM relations with its partners who implement
coal related programs, and, in addition, it provided a public outreach opportunity that
enabled environmental groups and citizens to provide their views on coal mining related
issues," Karpan said.

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

                               DOI