Kentucky
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 received conditional program approval from OSMRE on May 18, 1982.
State Contacts
Abandoned Mine Lands (AML)
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires that Environmental Assessments with a Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSIs) and Categorical Exclusion Certification and Determinations (CXs) for AML reclamation projects be made available to the public and that the public be notified when and where they are available. To comply with NEPA notification provisions and for the convenience of the public, NEPA determination documents for Kentucky projects authorized after January 1, 2011, are available on the Kentucky Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Projects page in PDF version.
Oversight
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 OSMRE 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:
