A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION
                              With
       National Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
         USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
                USD0I - Office of Surface Mining

Overview:  The Framework Plan is a partnership of federal and State governments,
and coalitions working to restore the nation's abandoned mine lands.

This is a partnership of Federal, State, and private alliances that addresses
environmental problems from a national context.  The plan has the potential to serve as
a guide to form a stronger partnership at each level resulting in greater efficiency to the
public.

Goal 1:        A strong effective reclamation program:

       Objective 1:  Create effective state reclamation committees in each state
       impacted by past mining.
       Objective 2:  Encourage re-establishing a RAMP committee within the
       National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs (NAAMLP).
       Objective 3:  Develop a strategy on how OSM/NRCS can support
       reclamation activities in the Clean Water Action Plan and American Heritage
       Rivers Initiative.

Goal 2:        Improve service to local grass roots organizations:

       Objective 1:  Facilitate development of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)
       with key stakeholders within each State.
       Objective 2:  Develop joint reclamation database of information to inform the
       conservation partners on the need for reclamation in their individual
       watersheds.
       Objective 3:  Establish a strong partnership with the National Association of
       Conservation Districts (NACD).
       Objective 4:  Increase awareness of grass roots organization on the
       Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative (CSI).

Goal 3:        Increase information to the citizens impacted by abandoned mines:

       Objective 1:  Expand OSM's awards program involvement to include a
       watershed project award.
       Objective 2:  Conduct national meetings on reclamation.
       Objective 3:  Improve communication with partnership agencies.

Goal 4:        Improve effectiveness of reclamation funding:

       Objective 1:  Implement a watershed approach in planning and application of
       abandoned mine reclamation.
       Objective 2:  Jointly fund projects including EPA, COE, and others.
       Objective 3:  Work together to update information in AMLIS.
       Objective 4:  Utilize 10 percent set aside for CSI and RAMP projects, when
       appropriate.
       Objective 5:  Increase level of funding for all reclamation programs.

Goal 5:        Increase Technical Training Opportunities

       Objective 1:  Look for opportunities for NRCS staff to participate in available
       reclamation training courses conducted by OSM,
       Objective 2:  Utilize NRCS staff in providing training in soils, watershed
       planning, wetlands, and wetland passive treatment systems as related to
       mining activities.

We, the undersigned, do acknowledge the importance of the Reclamation Program and
hereby commit our respective organizations to working together to improve and
enhance the natural resources through the reclamation of abandoned mine land as
described in this framework plan.




PEARLIE REED
Chief
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

KATHY KARPAN
Director
USDI-Office of Surface Mining






















RUDY RICE
President
National Association of Conservation Districts

CLARENCE RICHARDS
Chairman
National Coalition for Abandoned
Mine Reclamation