OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING
     RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT

For Release   August 29, 1997                Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
                                         jchildre@osmre.gov

          OSM ISSUES NEW  REGULATIONS FOR DETERMINING
             EXCESS MOISTURE ALLOWANCE ON COAL TONNAGE
                    SUBJECT TO RECLAMATION FEES

     The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement (OSM) is publishing a new rule amending regulations governing the
excess moisture allowance used in calculating coal tonnage subject to reclamation fees
required by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA).   

     The final rule is being published in the Federal Register August 29.  It goes into
effect October 1.  

     OSM officials said the new regulations will:

     Define terms and phrases related to the collection and testing of coal samples
     used to determine the inherent and total moisture of coal.

     Identify acceptable ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standard
     test methods and procedures.

     Establish frequencies for collecting and testing samples of high- and low-rank
     coals.

     Provide coal operators with formulas for use in calculating an excess moisture
     tonnage allowance for the purpose of reducing the weight of coal subject to the
     abandoned mine land reclamation fee.

     SMCRA requires coal producers to pay reclamation fees at the rate of 35 cents
per ton of surface mined coal, 15 cents per ton of coal mined underground, and
10 cents per ton of lignite.  The money pays for reclamation of abandoned coal mine
 lands that were left unreclaimed before SMCRA was enacted.  The weight of naturally
occurring moisture in the coal may not be deducted from tonnage calculations.  Weight
from moisture that accumulates in the coal after mining, however, can be deducted.
The new regulation governs the procedures, methods, and frequency of tests used for
determining the excess moisture allowance.

     Requests for copies or for additional information should be directed to Dr. Kewal
Kohli, Office of Surface Mining, U.S. Department of the Interior, 3 Parkway Center,
Pittsburgh, PA,  15220, telephone (412) 937-2175.


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