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ARKANSAS
Tulsa Field Office
- STATE OVERVIEW
- OVERSIGHT
Coal Production
Arkansas has reserves of bituminous, semi anthracite, and lignite coal. The bituminous and semi anthracite coal reserves are estimated to be about 2.2 billion tons, half of which is considered recoverable. Coal mining has been concentrated in west-central Arkansas. Prior to the 1950s, much of the coal was extracted by underground mining methods. Surface mining then dominated until 2008 when underground production again surpassed surface production. Surface remining to remove coal pillars left in shallow underground mines and recovering coal from old mine waste piles has been common.
Regulation
James Stephens of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Surface Mining and Reclamation Division, has responsibility for SMCRA activities related to active coal mines in the State of Arkansas.
Reclamation
Wayne Van Buren has responsibility for SMCRA activities related to abandoned coal mines in the state of Arkansas.
An example of ADEQ’s effectiveness and efficiency is the AML project located in Sebastian County. The project successfully eliminated three acres of dangerous gob piles, several feet of embankments, and one vertical opening. By incorporating a forfeited pit as a disposal area, ADEQ was able to reduce the amount of reclamation required by 10 acres.
Grants
Arkansas grant reports and related documents are contained in the official grant file maintained at the:
Mid-Continent Regional Office
501 Belle Street, suite 216
Alton, IL 62002
They can be reviewed during normal business hours. Alternatively, these documents can be requested through the Tulsa Field Office and a copy of the grant file will be made available. The copy may be requested in paper or electronic format.
More Information
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.
*Some 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.
For more information please contact:
Tulsa Field Office Director |
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