OSM FACT SHEET
U.S. Department of the Interior    Office of Surface Mining
FEB 26, 1997

       OSM AWARDS NORTH DAKOTA $1,970,665 GRANT
           FOR ABANDONED MINE LANDS PROGRAM

    The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement (OSM) announced today that North Dakota has been awarded a
$1,970,665 grant to fund the state's abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation
program.

    Funds for AML grants come from fees paid by coal producers at the rate of
3 5 cents per ton of surface mined coal and 15 cents per ton of coal mined
underground.

                         -DOI-

For further information about the grant contact Lou Ogaard (701) 328-4108.