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Kentucky Oversight Program
Lexington Field Office
REG-8 Oversight Database
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet's Department for Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for administering mining, reclamation, and abandoned mine land laws and regulations on Federal and non-Federal lands in Kentucky. There are three divisions within DNR responsible for coal mining. The Division of Abandoned Mine Lands works throughout the state's coal fields to protect the public from health and safety problems caused by mining that occurred prior to passage of SMCRA on August 3, 1977. The Division of Mine Permits evaluates mining and reclamation plans and issues coal mine permits. The Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement inspects all surface and underground coal mining permits to assure compliance with SMCRA. In addition to the three mining divisions, the Office of Technical and Administrative Support provides staff support for the coal mining regulatory program under DNR.
Kentucky is the third largest coal-producing state in the nation and has the fifth largest coal reserve base. Nearly every type of coal mining and reclamation practice is found in the differing coal bearing regions within the state. The eastern Kentucky coalfield is part of the Appalachian Coal Province where underground, contour, and mountaintop mining occurs. The western Kentucky coalfield is part of the Interior Coal Province where area and underground mining occurs. Kentucky currently inspects 1,919 coal mining permits covering over 1.9 million acres of permitted land. Kentucky received conditional program approval from OSM on May 18, 1982.
Public Participation and Outreach
OSM along with respective State and Tribal Programs jointly develop an Annual Performance Agreement* July 1 to June 30 to establish how oversight is conducted. We are responsive to public and industry concerns, and desire input and involvement in our oversight activities. We will use this page to announce Oversight Outreach Development and Review Periods as they occur. All of our REG-8 Oversight documents, proposed and final, can be found by searching our REG-8 Oversight Database.
*Somes states develop "bi-annual" performance plans.
Oversight Documents
To view oversight documents see ODOCS, OSM's REG-8 Oversight Database:| OSM defines "oversight", as the "process of evaluating and assisting states [and tribes] in the administration, implementation, and maintenance of approved programs. In collaboration with each state/tribe, OSM develops a Performance Agreement/Evaluation Plans tailored to the unique conditions of each state/tribe program. Performance Agreements/Evaluation Plans between OSM and the states establish how oversight is conducted during each evaluation year. |
For more information on OSM's oversight process see Oversight of Surface Coal Mining.
Contact Information
|
Robert Evans
Office of Surface Mining |
For more information about the State's Program go to: http://dmre.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
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