United States Department of the Interior
     OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING
     RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT
     Washington, D.C. 20240

                            December 8, 1998                                


                        To All Interested Parties:
     
     The Charleston Field Office (CHFO) recently forwarded to me the enclosed
     oversight report on land use (postmining land use) and land form (approximate
     original contour) relating to mining operations often referred to by the public as
     "mountaintop removal mines" in West Virginia. This report, which contains a
     wealth of factual material and some findings and proposed recommendations,
     was developed by the CHFO and reflects discussions at the OSM Headquarters
     level and includes the Department of the Interior Solicitor's comments.
     
     The resolution of some of the issues raised in this report may have implications
     beyond the boundaries of West Virginia. Therefore, I have decided to circulate
     the draft oversight report to interested parties both within and outside West
     Virginia. Comments are due to the Office of Surface Mining by January 15,
     1999. These comments will be considered as I, in conjunction with OSM s
     Management Council and the Solicitor's Office, reach final decisions on this
     matter and issue a final report.
     
     The West Virginia surface mining program is administered by the West Virginia
     Division of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). WVDEP assisted OSM in data
     gathering but has not formally commented on this draft oversight report as an
     analysis by OSM.
     
     Any comments may be electronically transmitted to OSM Headquarters by
     January 15, 1999, via the Internet, mailed, or hand delivered to the office. The
     E-mail address for the office is: (PHAIRSTO@OSMRE.GOV). The Postal 
     Service mailing address is:
     
          Patricia Hairston
                    Office of Surface Mining
                    1951 Constitution Ave., NW
                    Washington, DC 20240
          
     If you would like to discuss your comments or questions on the draft oversight
     report, please contact Al Klein, Regional Director, Appalachian Regional
     Coordinating Center, on 412-937-2828. When complete, the final report will be
     distributed to all who commented on the draft oversight report and others who
     request a copy.
     
     Thank you for your interest. Through cooperative efforts like this, we can
     improve the administration of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.
     
     Respectfully yours,

                                   Kathy Karpan
                                   Director