Mike Abbott, DMME
(276) 523-8146
mike.abbott@dmme.virginia.gov

As assistant secretary, Watson provides policy, priorities and oversight to the Bureau of Land Management, Minerals Management Service, and Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. These three bureaus have responsibility for the production of about 35 percent of America's domestic oil, natural gas and coal.

On Wednesday July 28 Watson will host a press tour of the Ely Creek and Lick Branch Reclamation Projects in Lee County, Virginia.

On Thursday, July 29, Assistant Secretary Watson will be available for media interviews at the Tri Cities Airport.

In addition to touring local examples of the Abandoned Mine Land program in action, Assistant Secretary Watson will discuss the Administration's proposal to reauthorize the fee on currently mined coal and use of the monies collected to clean up the $3.2 billion of high priority abandoned mine hazards located across the nation.

PRESS AVAILABILITY SCHEDULE FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY REBECCA WATSON

Press Availability 1 - Wednesday, July 28

High resolution photos of AML problems are available online at www.osmre.gov.

Rebecca W. Watson

Rebecca W. Watson is the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

She provides policy, priorities and oversight to the Bureau of Land Management, Minerals Management Service, and Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. These three bureaus have responsibility for the production of about 35 percent of our domestic oil, natural gas and coal that heat and cool our homes, fuel our cars and trucks, and power our high-tech economy.

During her tenure as Assistant Secretary, Ms. Watson has established providing the American people with the energy they need in an environmentally sound manner and the preservation of rural western communities and their values as her highest priorities. She has been an active spokesperson for administration initiatives to involve local communities in public-land decisions affecting them and protecting communities from the threat of wildland fires.

Ms. Watson is an attorney licensed to practice in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and Washington, D.C. She is admitted to the State and Federal district courts of those states, the 9th, 10th and D.C. Circuit Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. She received her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, and two graduate degrees from the University of Denver. Ms. Watson is a published author on natural resource law and policy issues.