For Release January 27, 1999            Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
                                                                                       jchildre@osmre.gov

     OSM REOPENS COMMENT PERIOD ON MOUNTAINTOP MINING REPORT

     Kathy Karpan, Director of the Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), today announced that OSM has reopened the
comment period on its draft oversight report on the regulation of West Virginia coal
mining operations commonly referred to as mountaintop removal mines, through Friday,
February 5, 1999.

     According to Karpan OSM made the decision to reopen the comment period
"after several requests from coalfield citizens, and other interested parties, asking for
additional time to state their opinions on the issue.  OSM wants to be sure that
everyone get's the chance to voice their view."

     All comments on the draft West Virginia oversight report should be directed to:
Office of Surface Mining, Patricia Hairston, 1951 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington,
DC 20240, e-mail: (PHAIRSTO@OSMRE.GOV).  For comments, questions, or media
inquiries, contact:  Al Klein, OSM Appalachian Regional Director on (412)937-2828.  

                              -DOI-