OSM FACT SHEET
U.S. Department of the Interior    Office of Surface Mining
May 22, 1997

           OSM AWARDS MONTANA $25,000 GRANT
          FOR ABANDONED MINE LANDS PROJECTS

    The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement (OSM) has awarded Montana $25,000 to assist the state in
extinguishing coal outcropping fires at abandoned mine land (AML) sites.

    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 Vic Anderson (406) 444-4972.