OSM NEWS
U. S. Department of the Interior
Office of Surface Mining

For release: April 16, 1999                  Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
                                        jchildre@osmre.gov

        OSM & NRCS SIGN NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION
                 IN RECLAIMING ABANDONED MINES

     Officials from the Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and the
Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today signed a
"National Framework For Cooperation" in reclaiming abandoned coal mine sites.

      OSM Director Kathy Karpan and NRCS Associate Chief Danny Sells signed the
document, during a ceremony held at OSM's headquarters in Washington, DC.  "In addition to
OSM and NRCS, two of the federal agencies involved in restoring lands and waters damaged by
past mining practices, several other organizations are expected to sign the document in the near
future," Karpan said.  "The National Association of Conservation Districts, and National
Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation will also become partners under the framework."

     "This National Framework for Cooperation will serve as a blueprint for OSM and NRCS
and their other partners in reclamation to pursue their common goal   more and better
reclamation, " Karpan said.  "I will forward it to each State and Indian tribe receiving
reclamation grants under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, and encourage them
all to join in our united efforts under the abandoned mine land program." 

     Karpan said that the document provides a plan to share technology, training, expertise,
and experience among the various groups doing reclamation.  It commits the agencies and
organizations to five goals aimed at overall improvement in the reclamation arena, including:
     --   a strong effective reclamation program;
     --   improved service to local grass roots organizations;
     --   increased information to citizens affected by abandoned mines;
     --   improved effectiveness of reclamation fund, and
     --   increased technical training opportunities.

     For copies of the document, or for further information about the National Framework for
Cooperation, phone Gene Krueger at OSM headquarters, (202) 208-2837, email:
gkrueger@osmre.gov.

                             -OSM-