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'Office of Surface Mining' Office of Surface Mining logo 'Established:' August 3, 1977 'Director:' Brent Wahlquist(Acting) 'Budget:' $300 million (2004) 'Employees:' 600 (2004)

The 'Office of Surface Mining' (or 'OSM') is a branch of the United States Department of the Interior. It is the federal agency entrusted with the implementation and enforcement of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). OSM has about 600 employees, who work in either the national office in Washington, DC or of the many regional and field offices.

OSM has two main functions:

★ Regulating Active Mines

★ Restoring Lands Damaged by Surface Mining and Abandoned Mines

Contents

Regulating Active Mines

References

Regulating Active Mines

The Office of Surface Mining is responsible for the enforcement of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, this includes setting regulatory guidelines. The actual regulation of mines is primarily done on a state level and tribal level, but OSM is charged with inspection of the state programs to meet the standard of quality. OSM regularly inspects state programs to make sure they are meeting the required standards; if they do not meet the required standards the OSM can take over. For example, when in 2003 Missouri was unable to meet the federal requirements due to a lack of funding, OSM stepped in to assume partial control of the state program. OSM took control of the following in Missouri:

★ Training, examination, and certification of Blasters

★ Areas unsuitable for mining

★ Small Operator Assistance
OSM will continue to run the above parts of Missouri's Mining program until Missouri improves its program.

References

★ Office of Surface Mining web site, visited December 19, 2005.

★ OSM's 2004 Annual Report Downloaded December 23, 2005.