1992 - 1996

1992 - Federal appeals court dismissed lawsuit over Applicant Violator System performance on jurisdictional grounds, Office of Surface Mining affirmed role of System in permit processing and kept it operational.

1993 - Office of Surface proposed new rules for control of damage to lands and structures caused by coal mine subsidence. The proposed regulations require operators of all underground coal mining operations conducted after 10/24/92, to promptly repair or compensate for material damage to non-commercial buildings, occupied residential dwellings, and related structures as a result of subsidence due to underground mining.

1994 - Office of Surface Mining reorganized, public access to Applicant/Violator System widened, and acid mine drainage policy proposed.

1995 - Appalachian Clean Streams program initiated to address acid mine drainage pollution, and 182 employees lose jobs in Reduction In Force (RIF).

1996 - New "results-based" oversight strategy began, web site initiated, and Pittsburgh Mine Map Repository acquires U.S. Bureau of Mines maps.