OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING
For Release Nov. 19, 1982
Dick Nellius (202) 343-4953

OSM AND VIRGINIA RESOLVE IMPASSE ON SURFACE COAL MINE INSPECTIONS

The Department of Interior's Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and the
Commonwealth of Virginia today announced that they have resolved
the issues of concern with regard to Virginia's enforcement of its
surface mining laws.

In an agreement in principle announced jointly today:

--The Conservation and Economic Development Department has agreed
to support legislation which will be introduced in January when the
General Assembly reconvenes.  This legislation will provide
Virginia officials with immediate authority to issue notices of
violation and cessation orders and to impose civil penalties
against existing mine permits prior to repermitting those
operations under the State's permanent regulatory program.

--On enactment of this legislation, OSM will withdraw all of the
additional inspectors sent into Virginia since mid-July.  In the
interim, OSM will withdraw one of the additional Federal inspectors
for every 100 permit applications processed by Virginia.

--Wherever possible and consistent with OSM's responsibilities, OSM
inspections will be coordinated with the State's Division of Mined
Land Reclamation so that OSM and Virginia inspectors can make joint
inspections.  This will enable Virginia to continue its inspection
schedule as required under the provisions of the permanent program.

"We are extremely pleased," said OSM Director James R. Harris,
"that we have been able to work out this agreement with Virginia. 
Now we in OSM are looking forward to reducing the Federal presence
in Virginia and returning to our role of oversight and assistance
to the State."

Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Resources, Betty J. Diener,
said: "I am pleased that a practical solution has been worked out
with OSM.   I am convinced that we will now be able to concentrate
our energies on implementing our permanent program and that we will
be able to work cooperatively with OSM in their oversight role."