OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING
     RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT

For Release December 5, 1995       Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT
 POSTPONES ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENTS
                                   
     Robert J. Uram, Director of the Interior Department's Office
of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), today
announced the "reluctant postponement" of appointments to OSM's
General Advisory Board and to the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee
on Coal Refuse Disposal, as well, due to severe reductions in the
agency budget for fiscal year 1996.

     "The reductions are so severe that we have had to issue
separation notices to approximately 30 percent of OSM's staff,"
Uram said.  "It will be extremely difficult to carry out current
programs and activities under such constraints.  This forces us
to delay important new initiatives like the advisory boards."

     "We very much regret postponing a process like operation of
the advisory boards, which we believe will be beneficial to
achieving the goals of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act," Uram added.  "We do so only because the damaging budget
cuts imposed by the appropriations process leave us no practical
choice.  

     Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt was prepared to
announce the selection of 13 different members to serve on each
of the two boards before the budget process forced the
postponement, according to Uram.  No decision has been made
regarding future appointments to the boards.

     Uram said that creation of the OSM Advisory Board was
approved in January 1995 to provide an open forum for discussion
and advice on issues related to the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act.

     "The idea of establishing the board underscores OSM's
continuing shared commitment with states and Indian tribes to
enhance relationships and to benefit from continuing exchanges of
information with our constituent organizations," Uram added.

     OSM's Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on Coal Refuse
Disposal was established in March 1995 to attempt to reach
consensus on the major issues associated with formulating a
proposed rule on coal refuse disposal.

     "Negotiated rulemaking has been used quite successfully to
address highly controversial subjects in a practical manner,"
Uram said.  "For that reason, OSM recognized it as an appropriate
process to use in developing the coal refuse rule."


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