OSM Seal Answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions  
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1. How many acres of land were disturbed by mining and how many were reclaimed last year? Answer
Disturbed acreage has only recently been compiled and all states have not provided this information. The number of acres permitted and released from bond are the statistics currently used to describe the coal mining and reclamation. During (fiscal year) 2004, (October 1, 2003-September 30, 2004) 4,282,456 acres were under permit, including 116,805 new acres added during the year, and 50,084 acres were released from Phase 3 (complete reclamation) bond. For 2004, 19 (out of 32) states and tribes reported 1,052,129 acres of disturbed acreage. 2. How many Notice of Violations (NOV's) and Imminent Harm Cessation Orders (CO's) were issued to mine operators last year, and how does this compare with past years? Answer
During the 2004 reporting period (October 1, 2003 - September 30, 2004) state regulatory authorities (and the Office of Surface Mining in the federal program states of Missouri, Tennessee and Washington) issued 3,626 NOV's, 395 Failure-To-Abate CO's, and 78 Imminent Harm CO's. The Office of Surface Mining issued an additional 8 NOV's and 6 CO's under the oversight responsibility. This compares with 3,467 NOV's and 362 CO's plus 39 oversite NOV's and 11 oversight CO's in 2003 (October 1, 2002 - September 30, 2003). 3. How much coal is produced in each state last year, and how does this compare with past year's production? Answer
In 2004 (October 1, 2003 - September 30, 2004) U.S. coal production was 1,081,858,253 tons, an increase 112,438,833 tons from 2003. A comparison of production by state shows that of the 28 states and indian tribes that produced coal in 2004, 18 increased and 10 decreased when compared with the previous year. States/tribes that increased were: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Crow Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missoui, Montana, Navajo Nation, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. 4. How many acres of (specific type) abandoned mine land problems have been reclaimed since 1977? Answer
Abandoned Mine Land reclamation accomplishments for the period 1978-2004 are not all measured in acres. For example, open vertical mine shafts are one of the most dangerous Abandoned Mine Land hazards; however, in most cases they cover less than 100 square feet. As a result they are tabulated by number of vertical openings closed. Since 1978, there have been 12,881 vertal openings closed. A complete listing of all health and safety (Priority 1 and 2) hazards reclaimed and lower priority environmental problems reclaimed is available. 5. How many inspections did the Office of Surface Mining complete last year? Answer
During 2004 (October 1, 2003 - September 30, 2004) the Office of Surface Mining completed 1,669 oversight visits and an additional 2,146 inspections where the Office of Surface Mining was the Regulatory Authority (Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee, and Washington). 6. What published information is available from the Office of Surface Mining that describes mining and reclamation under the 1977 law? Answer
The Office of Surface Mining has several publications that describe mining and reclamation under the Surface Mining Law. All are available at no cost by requesting copies. 7. I think a mine operator is (mining on my property, changing the contour of the land, etc.), can I see the mine plan that is being used for this operation? Answer:
Yes, you can see the mine operator's plan. Once the complete permit application has been submitted by the mine operator it is public information. Copies can be reviewed at local public libraries in the county where the operation is located or the state regulatory office in primacy states or Office of Surface Mining offices in federal program states (Tennessee and Washington). 8. How many dollars are currently in the Abandoned Mine Land Trust Fund, and how many have been spent for reclamation? Answer
From January 30, 1978, when the first fees were paid, through September 30, 2004, the fund collected $7,085,103,212 and the balance as of September 30, 2004 was $1,687,916,133.98. Since 1979, when states began receiving abandoned mine land reclamation grants, $5,493,809,291 has been distributed from the fund. Reclamation projects completed by the Office of Surface Mining since 1978 total $393,839,852. The remaining expenditures included: the Rural Abandoned Mine Land Program, the Small Operator Assistant Program, technical support for state programs, fund administration, and fee compliance. 9. My company has a new product that greatly improves reclamation. Does the Office of Surface Mining have a list of recommended products? Answer
Office of Surface Mining does not endorse products or have a preferred list of recommended products. In addition, product recommendations are not made (verbally or in regulations) to state regulators or mine company employees. Lists containing coal mining company name, address, and facility description are commercially available (e.g., The Maclean Hunter Keystone Coal Industry Manual) that can be used to identify industry contacts. 10. I do not think a (specific mine operation) is following the Surface Mining Law, who should I contact to give me information on this specific situation? Answer
If you think there is a regulatory compliance question about a mine operation you should contact your state regulatory office or the Office of Surface Mining if you are located in the (federal program) states of Tennessee or Washington, or the Crow, Navajo, Hopi, or Ute Indian Tribes. You may also submit a Citizen Request for Inspection directly from this web site.

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Office of Surface Mining
1951 Constitution Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
202-208-2719
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