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 1,792 coal mining permits covering 246,311 acres of permitted land. Kentucky received conditional program approval from OSMRE on May 18, 1982.
Abandoned Mine Land (AML)
NEPA requires that EA/FONSI's and CX's for AML reclamation projects be made available to the public and that the public be notified when and where they are available for public information. To comply with NEPA notification provisions and for the convenience of the public, the NEPA determination documents for projects in Kentucky authorized after January 1, 2011, are available on the Kentucky Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Projects page in PDF version.
Oversight Program
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.
What is Oversight?
OSMRE 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, OSMRE develops a Performance Agreement/Evaluation Plan 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.
Learn more about OSMRE's National Oversight Program.
Oversight Documents
To view oversight documents visit, OSMRE's REG-8 Oversight Database:
Public Participation and Outreach
OSMRE 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, ODocs.
*Somes states develop "bi-annual" performance plans.
