I.   Goals and Objectives and Plans for Achieving Them 

     A.   Office of Surface Mining (OSM) Objectives and Plans
                     
          OSM's  goals are to ensure that coal mining operations do not adversely
          affect the environment, including the human environment, and to ensure
          that coal mined land is properly reclaimed.  With primacy, OSM can meet
          these goals only by ensuring that the Oklahoma program is implemented
          in accordance with the program approved by the Secretary of the Interior.

          OSM's specific plans are to work with Oklahoma to provide resources,
          technical expertise, and evaluation of the implementation of the State
          program.  OSM will work together with Oklahoma to implement the
          Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.  OSM will inspect
          mines in accordance with OSM's policies and in accordance with
          concerns of citizen's and concerns developed from OSM's routine
          document reviews.  OSM will review permitting actions, inspection and
          enforcement records, grants management records, and other documents
          in accordance with OSM policies.

          OSM's specific objective is to provide feedback to the State so that on-the-ground 
          problems can be identified and corrected as soon as possible. 
          Another objective is to provide positive reinforcement to the State when
          program implementation is appropriate.

     B.   State Objectives and Plans
 
          The Oklahoma Department of Mines' (ODM) goal is full implementation of
          the approved regulatory program.  ODM plans to continue its inspection
          and enforcement and permit review activities to ensure that the State
          program is implemented in accordance with the Oklahoma Title 45
          statutes.

II.  Evaluation 

     OSM's Directive REG-8 provides instructions for the oversight of State programs. 
     OSM is directed to solicit comments from citizens on oversight and incorporate
     those comments into the performance agreement.  OSM is also directed to
     select oversight topics from concerns identified from mine inspections, document
     reviews, and national concerns.  Topics selected are not necessarily deemed by
     OSM to be problems with the implementation of the Oklahoma program. 
     Evaluation study findings will be compiled into topic-specific reports and into an
     Annual Evaluation Report.  In addition to new topics identified from citizen's
     comments, State needs, and OSM concerns, issues from previous years are to
     be followed through to resolution. 
     
     A.   Topics to be Evaluated
          
          1.   Issues from previous evaluations.

               (a)  Reclamation and bonding failures
                    (1)  Surety reclamation in lieu of forfeiture
                    (2)  Contractor reclamation with forfeited funds
                    (3)  Alternative enforcement actions
                    (4)  Bond forfeiture process                 
                    (5)  Permittee compliance schedules in lieu of forfeiture             
               (b)  Bonding ( bonding instruments and records)
               (c)  Permit defects 
               (d)  Ground-water hydrology 
               (e)  Surface-water hydrology 
               (f)  Permit review procedures
               (g)  Off-Site Impacts (See Appendix II)
               (h)  Reclamation Success (See Appendix III)

          2.   New Topics 

               (a)  Postmining Land Use  (See Appendix V)
               (b)  Customer Service (See Appendix IV)
               (c)  Whistle blower protection
               (d)  Water monitoring waivers/reductions
               (e)  Bond adequacy

     B.   Procedures for Evaluation 

          The basic standards for evaluation will be the requirements of the
          Oklahoma program.  
          Evaluation procedures will be developed that are specific to each topic. 
          The topic-by-topic evaluation procedures will include information to
          identify why the review is needed, who will conduct the review, and what
          kind of review will be done.  OSM and ODM will work jointly to design and
          carry out evaluation studies whenever possible.  Reports of the findings
          will be prepared.  OSM and ODM will discuss the findings so that the
          merits of issues are explored, and so that OSM and ODM jointly identify
          causes for issues and develop methods for resolving them.  Specific-topic
          procedures are listed in Appendix I.

     C.   Innovative Actions

          OSM encourages the recognition of all innovative approaches to
          managerial efficiency, problem resolution and environmental protection;
          and recognition of extraordinary achievements by both ODM and the coal
          mining permittees.     

III. Methods for Resolving Issues

     To resolve issues that arise from evaluation studies, OSM and ODM will jointly
     develop a process for resolving each issue identified.  Each issue may require
     several methods of  resolution, but may include:
               
         Changes to the performance agreement or action plans   
         Technical assistance or training provided by OSM
         Follow-up evaluations

     When practical, success of issue resolution will be measured by on-the-ground
     abatement of the problem that precipitated the issue.
  
IV.  Technical Assistance that OSM Will Provide 

     OSM will provide technical assistance as needed.  This will include the TIPS
     system, technical expertise in specific areas, and training.  OSM will continue the
     assistance with AEA's initiated under the 30 CFR Part 733.  In accordance with
     the State's request, OSM will work with ODM to develop guidance in the
     following areas:
     
          (a)  Development of  guidelines for determining the appropriate amount
               of water, and the appropriate slopes for permanent impoundments.
          (b)  Improved guidelines for plans and specifications for bond forfeiture
               reclamation work.
          (c)  Implementation of OAC 460:20-15-5(a)(2) requirements for public
               availability of permit/renewal/significant revision applications.
          (e)  Permitting of roads.
          (f)  Standardization and networking of data bases.

V.   Data that Oklahoma Will Provide to OSM 

     ODM will continue to provide OSM with:

         Copies of current applicable State laws and regulations.
         Copies of permit applications that have been issued with all revision and
          renewal documents.
         Copies of inspection reports of all mine inspections.
         Copies of enforcement documents including hearings records and
          settlement agreements.
         Hearings docket and conference schedules including updates.
         Notices of bond release and bond release documents
         Compiled data on inspection and enforcement, permitting actions, and
          other data that is required for the preparation of the Annual Evaluation
          Report.  

VI.  Data that OSM Will Provide to Oklahoma

     OSM will continue to provide Oklahoma with:

         Federal Register notices.
         Copies of OSM inspection reports.
         Copies of enforcement documents including results of judicial proceedings
         Copies of Oklahoma oversight studies.
         Compiled data on inspection and enforcement, permitting actions, grant
          applications, and other data that is prepared for the Annual Evaluation
          Report.

VII. Terms of Agreement

This agreement covers activities for Evaluation Year 1998 and 1999.  The agreement
may be amended in writing at any time through the mutual agreement of the parties. 
This agreement may be terminated in whole or in part in writing by either party. 
However, no such termination shall be effected until the parties have attempted to
resolve any disagreement.

VIII.     Approval




                                                                                                                                     
Michael C. Wolfrom, Director          Date             James Hamm, Director                   Date
Tulsa Field Office                                                  Oklahoma Department of Mines
Office of Surface Mining

                            APPENDIX I

     TOPIC-BY-TOPIC PROCEDURES FOR 1998 OVERSIGHT EVALUATION

                 Issues from Previous Evaluations