1987 - 1991

1987 - Ten percent Abandoned Mine Land grant set-aside began, two-acre exemptions for newly permitted operations eliminated, first annual reclamation awards presented to active mine operators, Applicant Violator System became operational, first Technical Information Processing System (TIPS) workstations installed in state offices, and civil penalty collections were authorized for reclamation of land abandoned after 8/3/77.

1988 - Settlement Agreement between the National Wildlife Federation and Kentucky added financial support from the Office of Surface Mining.

1989 - Abandoned Mine Land Emergency Response Office opened in Ashland, Kentucky.

1990 - Settlement agreement with environmental groups signed, ending 10 years of controversy and litigation over the "two-acre exemption." which was repealed in 1987.

1991 - Title IV revised and the collection of fees extended until 9/30/95, interest will accrue on the Fund's unappropriated balance, small operator tonnage definition increased from 100,000 to 300,000 tons, funds may be used to reclaim interim-program sites, and states may established trust funds for acid mine drainage programs.