OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT
For Release June 25, 1992
Alan Cole (202) 208-27 19

STATE OF KENTUCKY AND OSM BEGIN WORK ON ANGEL REFUSE FIRE.

The Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) announced today that the Angel
refuse fire in Perry County, Kentucky, has been declared an
emergency reclamation project. Work to extinguish the fire began
this morning.

In declaring the project an emergency, Snyder said, "Congressman
Harold Rogers brought the seriousness of this problem to my
attention. Fumes and smoke from the f~e have caused nearby
residents to require emergency medical care. Immediate action was
required."

Over the past several months the State of Kentucky and OSM
Abandoned Mine Land Program field staff have discussed funding the
reclamation project.

A cooperative agreement reached today between the State of Kentucky
and OSM stipulates that 50 percent of the $710,000 needed to fund
the project will come from the state, and 50 percent from OSM.

The work schedule calls for clearing and access road construction
to begin today. An on-site pre-bid meeting with all interested
contractors is set for tomorrow, with the final contract award
scheduled to follow July 1. Reclamation work will begin by July 3.

-DOI-