January 20, 2000

                OSM AWARDS WEST VIRGINIA $114,160

               FOR SMALL COAL OPERATORS ASSISTANCE

     West Virginia has received a $114,160 grant from the Interior
Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
(OSM) for the state's Small Coal Operator's Assistance Program (SOAP).
     SOAP helps coal operators producing less than 300,000 tons
annually with the costs of obtaining data for their mining permit
applications.  The information includes technical evaluations of the
probable hydrological consequences of mining and the results of test
borings or core samplings.
                              -DOI-
 For further information about the grant contact Dewayne Harless (304)
759-0506.