Encyclopedia > Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement
Office of Surface Mining  | | 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. 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. ...
Sign at Indian Head Mine, near Beulah, ND. Photo: Chuck Meyers, OSM. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) is the primary federal law that regulates the environmental effects of coal mining in the United States. ...
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 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. Sign at Indian Head Mine, near Beulah, ND. Photo: Chuck Meyers, OSM. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) is the primary federal law that regulates the environmental effects of coal mining in the United States. ...
This article does not cite its references or sources. ...
OSM employee inspecting a mine 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. This article does not cite its references or sources. ...
References |