OSM FACT SHEET
U.S. Department of the Interior    Office of Surface Mining

February 7, 1997

OSM AWARDS WEST VIRGINIA $22,505,684 GRANT FOR ABANDONED MINE LANDS
PROGRAM 

   The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement (OSM) has awarded West Virginia a $22,505,684 grant to fund the
State's abandoned mine lands (AML) reclamation program.

    The $22,505,684 grant, plus an additional $3,733,543 in funds carried over
from previous awards, makes $26,239,227 available for West Virginia's AML
program.

    Funds for AML grants come from fees paid by coal producers at the rate of
35 cents per ton of surface mined coal and 15 cents per ton of coal mined
underground.

                         -DOI-

NOTE: For additional information about the grant contact Dewayne Harless (304)
759-0506.