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

The Office of Surface Mining (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. August 3 is the 215th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (216th in leap years), with 150 days remaining. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is a Cabinet department of the United States government that manages and conserves most federally-owned land. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United...

OSM Regional Structure Map

OSM has two main functions:

• Regulating Active Mines
• Restoring Lands Damaged by Surface Mining and Abandoned Mines

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 regulary 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. State nickname: The Show Me State Official languages English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City (largest metropolitan area is Saint Louis) Governor Matt Blunt (R) Senators Kit Bond (R) Jim Talent (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 21st 69,709 mi²; 180,693 km² 1. ...

OSM employee inspecting a mine

OSM took control of the following in Missouri:

• Traning, examination, and certifcation of Blasters
• Areas unsuitable for mining
• Small Operator Assistance

Until Missouri improves it's program, OSM will continue to run the above parts of Missouri's Mining program. State nickname: The Show Me State Official languages English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City (largest metropolitan area is Saint Louis) Governor Matt Blunt (R) Senators Kit Bond (R) Jim Talent (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 21st 69,709 mi²; 180,693 km² 1. ...

Source

• Office of Surface Mining web site, visited December 19, 2005.
• OSM's 2004 Annual Report Downloaded December 23, 2005.