OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT

For Release June 21, 1996
Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719 jchildre@osmre.gov

OSM, SIU CO-SPONSOR NATIONAL FORUM ON COAL COMBUSTION BY-PRODUCTS

Robert J. Uram, Director of the Interior Department's Office of
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement(OSM), today announced
that OSM and Southern Illinois University (SIU) are co-sponsoring
a national forum on Coal Combustion By-Products Associated with
Coal Mining.

Registration for the three-day forum, to be held on the SIU campus
in Carbondale, Illinois, October 29-31,1996, is due by October 1.

"Activities involving coal combustion by-products at surface coal
mines throughout the nation are increasing in frequency and scope,"
Uram said. "Innovations in the constructive use of these
by-products are becoming more common both on and off the mine site.
For instance, using coal ash as a soil conditioner where
appropriate not only disposes of a power plant waste but under
certain condition.~can also improve the quality of the soil for
plant growth -- an important advantage in revegetating reclaimed
mined lands."

"Concerns related to public safety and protection of the
environment are also being heard more frequently, and research into
all aspects of by-product use and disposal has been steadily
increasing," Uram added.

"OSM is pleased to be a partner with SIU in holding this forum to
bring together knowledgeable speakers who can provide information
about the state of the art of coal combustion by-products and their
utilization," Uram said. "During the symposium, participants from
all areas of the country, all levels of government, industry,
academia, and the general public will be encouraged to communicate
problems, solutions, and concerns related to coal combustion
by-products associated with surface mining."

Other sponsors of the forum include the Illinois Clean Coal
Institute, Illinois Office of Mines and Minerals, Indiana Division
of Reclamation, and Texas Utilities.

Under OSM's strategic plan, technical assistance, training and
technology and development and transfer is a key business line.
Understanding technical issues and being part of the process of
developing solutions supports OSM basic mission of ensuring the
environment is protected during coal mining and making sure the
land is reclaimed after the coal is removed.

For information about registration, lodging, transportation, or
exhibits at the forum, contact Georgia Beasley at (618) 453-7916,
or chugh@engr.siu.edu. For additional information about the forum,
call Kimery Vories at (61 8) 463-6463, or kvories@osmre.gov.

OSM news releases 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.