March 29, 2000
            OSM AWARDS PENNSYLVANIA $26,648,924 GRANT
                 FOR ABANDONED MINE LANDS PROGRAM
     The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement (OSM) announced today that Pennsylvania has been
awarded a $26,648,924 grant to fund  the state's abandoned mine land
(AML)  reclamation 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-
     For further information about the grant contact Roderick Fletcher
(717) 783-2267.