October 13, 1999





To All Interested Parties:

I would like to present to you for comment the enclosed draft policy guidelines.  These guidelines
indicate how regulatory authorities should interpret the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act of 1977 (SMCRA) and our regulations on postmining land uses for certain surface mining
operations.  Specifically, the enclosure further clarifies the requirements regarding allowable
postmining land uses for mountaintop removal and steep slope mining operations where
operators seek an exception to the requirement to restore disturbed lands to approximate original
contour.

This is one of the issues that has arisen from our oversight of several State regulatory programs.
There have been differing interpretations on how the States may implement two of the
postmining land use categories, specifically public use and agriculture, and to what extent
forestry and fish and wildlife habitat may be permissible under these categories.  We developed
the enclosed policy guidelines in order to clarify our existing requirements.  Therefore, we are
seeking comment from all interested parties on whether this draft policy guidance will help to
clarify the existing requirements.

If you need additional information on this matter, please contact me on 202-208-4006, or your
staff may send comments to Ed Carey:  Three Parkway Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15220
or call on 412-937-2907 no later than November 13, 1999.  If you prefer, you may send your
comments via electronic mail (E-mail) to ecarey@osmre.gov.  Thank you for your attention to
this matter.

                              Respectfully yours,




                              Kathy Karpan
                              Director

Enclosure


cc: OC
      DD/DIR
      ASLM (2)
      RD-ARCC
      DOI-CL
      ARCC: Subject
      ARCC: Reading
      Ed Carey
Headquarters finalized:JJeter:10/12/99