Mountaintop MiningMountaintop Mining

A Perspective from David Hartos, Physical ScientistA Perspective from David Hartos, Physical ScientistU.S. Department of Interior - Office of Surface Mining U.S. Department of Interior - Office of Surface Mining

Reclamation and EnforcementReclamation and Enforcement

99thth Annual Wetlands & Watershed Workshop Annual Wetlands & Watershed Workshop

October 25, 2007October 25, 2007

DisclaimerDisclaimer

The views expressed are those of the presenter and do not necessarily The views expressed are those of the presenter and do not necessarily represent to the views of the Department of Interior or the Office of represent to the views of the Department of Interior or the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and EnforcementSurface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

Public Law 95-87Public Law 95-87

• Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

• Provides for the cooperation between the Secretary of Interior and Provides for the cooperation between the Secretary of Interior and the States with the respect to the regulation of surface coal mining the States with the respect to the regulation of surface coal mining operation and the acquisition and reclamation of abandoned mines, operation and the acquisition and reclamation of abandoned mines, and for other purposesand for other purposes

• Referred to by it acronym “SMCRA”, which is sound like “smack-ra”Referred to by it acronym “SMCRA”, which is sound like “smack-ra”

• Because of the diversity in terrain, climate, biologic, chemical, and Because of the diversity in terrain, climate, biologic, chemical, and other physical condition, encourages the States to take primary role other physical condition, encourages the States to take primary role in developing, authorizing, issuing, and enforcing regulations for in developing, authorizing, issuing, and enforcing regulations for surface coal mining reclamation operations subject to this act.surface coal mining reclamation operations subject to this act.

U.S. Department of InteriorU.S. Department of InteriorOffice of Surface Mining and EnforcementOffice of Surface Mining and Enforcement

OSM’s MissionOSM’s Mission

To carry out the requirements of SMCRA in To carry out the requirements of SMCRA in cooperation with States and Tribes.cooperation with States and Tribes.

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES• Protect citizensProtect citizens• Protect the environmentProtect the environment• Restore active minesRestore active mines• Reclaim abandoned coal minesReclaim abandoned coal mines

Federal Surface Mining ProgramFederal Surface Mining Program

• SMCRA codified @ 30 U.S.C. 1201-1328SMCRA codified @ 30 U.S.C. 1201-1328• SMCRA Federal regulations @ 30 CFR Part 700 SMCRA Federal regulations @ 30 CFR Part 700

– End.– End.• Policy directives atPolicy directives at www.osmre.gov/directiv.htm

Distribution of Coal Resources in the lower Distribution of Coal Resources in the lower 48 States48 States

Production FactsProduction Facts

• In 2004, coal was mined within 26 states and tribal lands.In 2004, coal was mined within 26 states and tribal lands.• The top ten producing states and tribes in 2004:The top ten producing states and tribes in 2004:

– Wyoming 396.5 million tons– West Virginia 148.0 million tons– Kentucky 114.2 million tons– Pennsylvania 66.0 million tons– Texas 45.9 million tons– Montana 40.0 million tons– Colorado 39.9 million tons– Indiana 35.1 million tons– Illinois 31.9 million tons– Virginia 31.4 million tons

• Source: Table 1 of the U.S. DOE - Energy Information Administration / Annual Coal Report, DOE/EIA-0584 (2004)

PrimacyPrimacyStates are encouraged to regulate coal mining but must demonstrate States are encouraged to regulate coal mining but must demonstrate

that they have State laws, regulations, policies and organizational that they have State laws, regulations, policies and organizational structure to carryout the provisions of SMCRAstructure to carryout the provisions of SMCRA

• Of the 26 coal producing states and tribal lands, 24 have primacy & Of the 26 coal producing states and tribal lands, 24 have primacy & only two states --Tennessee and Washington – have federally only two states --Tennessee and Washington – have federally administered SMCRA programs.administered SMCRA programs.

• OSM also administers the SMCRA program for:OSM also administers the SMCRA program for:– Arizona HopiArizona Hopi– Arizona NavajoArizona Navajo– Montana CrowMontana Crow– New Mexico NavajoNew Mexico Navajo

Regulatory Goals in a NutshellRegulatory Goals in a Nutshell

• Collection of adequate baseline informationCollection of adequate baseline information• Good planning – mine operation and reclamation Good planning – mine operation and reclamation

designs that minimize environmental impacts designs that minimize environmental impacts and protect citizensand protect citizens

• Perform well – complying with the terms of Perform well – complying with the terms of program requirements and in accord with the program requirements and in accord with the approved permitapproved permit

Mountaintop removal coal mine in southern WVMountaintop removal coal mine in southern WVPhoto by Vivian StockmanPhoto by Vivian Stockman

• Mountaintop removal coal mine in southern WV • Photo by Vivian Stockman

Mountaintop removal coal mine in southern WV Mountaintop removal coal mine in southern WV Photo by Vivian StockmanPhoto by Vivian Stockman

Mine ReclamationMine Reclamation

• Ultimate goal – reclamation of mined landUltimate goal – reclamation of mined land• SMCRA encourages the enhancement of fish SMCRA encourages the enhancement of fish

and wildlife habitatand wildlife habitat• SMCRA encourages reclaiming the land to a SMCRA encourages reclaiming the land to a

higher and better land use.higher and better land use.

Indiana, Vigo Coal Company, Discovery #1

Montana, Western Energy Company, Rosebud Mine

Alabama, Drummond Coal Company, Mill Alabama, Drummond Coal Company, Mill Creek MineCreek Mine

Kentucky, Saarcar Coal, Inc. & Rifle Coal Kentucky, Saarcar Coal, Inc. & Rifle Coal CompanyCompany

North Dakota, Bellaire Corporation, Indian Head North Dakota, Bellaire Corporation, Indian Head MineMine

Texas, TXU Mining, previously Texas Texas, TXU Mining, previously Texas Utilities Mining Company, Big Brown MineUtilities Mining Company, Big Brown Mine

Texas, TXU Mining, previously Texas Texas, TXU Mining, previously Texas Utilities Mining Company, Monticello MineUtilities Mining Company, Monticello Mine

Ohio, R & F Coal CompanyOhio, R & F Coal Company

Indiana, Black Beauty Coal CompanyIndiana, Black Beauty Coal Company

North Dakota, The Coteau Properties North Dakota, The Coteau Properties Company, Freedom MineCompany, Freedom Mine

PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

Maryland, tree farms, Buffalo Coal CompanyMaryland, tree farms, Buffalo Coal Company

Kentucky, Stone Mining Company, Grants Kentucky, Stone Mining Company, Grants Branch ImpoundmentBranch Impoundment

Peabody – Gibraltor Mine - KentuckyPeabody – Gibraltor Mine - Kentucky

Some Notable Current InitiativesSome Notable Current Initiatives

• As we learn, we are striving to do betterAs we learn, we are striving to do better

Appalachian Clean Appalachian Clean Streams InitiativeStreams Initiative

• Introduced in the fall of 1994.Introduced in the fall of 1994.• The mission of the Appalachian Clean Streams The mission of the Appalachian Clean Streams

Initiative is to facilitate and coordinate citizen Initiative is to facilitate and coordinate citizen groups, university researchers, the coal industry, groups, university researchers, the coal industry, corporations, the environmental community, and corporations, the environmental community, and local, state, and federal government agencies local, state, and federal government agencies that are involved in cleaning up streams polluted that are involved in cleaning up streams polluted by acid drainage.by acid drainage.

• OSM and EPA Region III signed a statement of OSM and EPA Region III signed a statement of mutual intent on February 9, 1995mutual intent on February 9, 1995.

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

• In 2005, OSM provided 11 states with $3.2 millionIn 2005, OSM provided 11 states with $3.2 million• Since 1994 when the supplemental state grants began, Since 1994 when the supplemental state grants began,

OSM has provided $47 million for 158 projects, 119 have OSM has provided $47 million for 158 projects, 119 have been completed and outside funding grew to over $23 been completed and outside funding grew to over $23 million on the projectsmillion on the projects

• In 1999, OSM began the Watershed Cooperative In 1999, OSM began the Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program as part of the Clean Streams Agreement Program as part of the Clean Streams Program and has awarded 141 cooperative agreements Program and has awarded 141 cooperative agreements and amendments at cost of $12,468,665.and amendments at cost of $12,468,665.

More Interesting FactsMore Interesting Facts

Watershed Internship ProgramWatershed Internship Program• The Office of Surface Mining and the Environmental The Office of Surface Mining and the Environmental

Protection Agency initiated the Summer Watershed Protection Agency initiated the Summer Watershed Internship program in 1999, and in 2005, funded 22 Internship program in 1999, and in 2005, funded 22 interns in eight states.interns in eight states.

• Since the program began, 168 interns have been Since the program began, 168 interns have been placed in ten states all of them working directly for placed in ten states all of them working directly for watershed groups on acid mine drainage issues.watershed groups on acid mine drainage issues.

More Interesting FactsMore Interesting Facts

OSM / VISTA Watershed TeamOSM / VISTA Watershed Team• OSM and the AmeriCorps VISTA program partnered to OSM and the AmeriCorps VISTA program partnered to

create the OSM/VISTA Team.create the OSM/VISTA Team.• There are more than 30 full-time OSM/VISTA Volunteers There are more than 30 full-time OSM/VISTA Volunteers

serving as Watershed Development Coordinators in 7 serving as Watershed Development Coordinators in 7 Appalachian coal states.Appalachian coal states.

• This was not done alone: other agency funds and other This was not done alone: other agency funds and other agency personnel play critical roles in virtually every one agency personnel play critical roles in virtually every one of these partnership efforts, efforts that bring state and of these partnership efforts, efforts that bring state and federal partners together in support of local projects federal partners together in support of local projects assisted by OSM/VISTAs to make a difference.assisted by OSM/VISTAs to make a difference.

Ohio, Majesty Mine Complex, Monday Creek Restoration Project

Before After

ARRI advocates using a technique known as the Forestry Reclamation Approach, or FRA, to plant trees on reclaimed coal mined lands.

GOALS• Plant more high-value hardwood trees on reclaimed coal mined

lands in Appalachia; • Increase the survival rates and growth rates of planted trees; • Expedite the establishment of forest habitat through natural

succession

Can you identify which of the trees Can you identify which of the trees were grown on a reclaimed mine?were grown on a reclaimed mine?

• The inventory provides vital statistics on about 300 Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) treatment projects in West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania. It is available online at http://amd.osmre.gov/passtreat/.

• AMD Treat 4.0 AMDTreat helps government agencies and citizens select the most cost effective method to treat streams damaged by acid mine drainage (AMD).

Technology TransferTechnology Transfer

• Great ideas need to be sharedGreat ideas need to be shared