OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING
     RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT

For Release August 3, 1995         Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719

               MORRIS K. UDALL AWARD ESTABLISHED 
     FOR STATE, TRIBAL MINE RECLAMATION PROGRAMS THAT EXCEL

     WASHINGTON, August 3 þ Robert J. Uram, Director of the
Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement (OSM), today announced a new honor award program 
the Morris K. Udall Award  to recognize state and tribal surface
mining regulators and their official agencies for outstanding
innovation and achievement in administering the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA).
     The award is named in honor of former Arizona Congressman
Morris K. Udall, regarded as the father of the surface mining law
for his support and leadership in the U.S. House of
Representatives leading to enactment of SMCRA in 1977.
     "It's entirely appropriate to name this honor award after
Congressman Udall," Uram said. "More than any other figure in
recent history, Mo Udall had the vision to see that a national
law could motivate industry and government together to make good
land reclamation an integral part of the coal mining process."  
     "Morris Udall used the moral authority and legislative power
of his position as Chairman of the House Interior & Insular
Affairs Committee to bring that vision to reality, not only
through passage of the surface mining law, but also by holding
the line against subsequent attempts to weaken the law. It is
safe to say that without Mo Udall, there wouldn't be a surface
mine reclamation program as we know it today," Uram said.
     Congressman Nick J. Rahall of West Virginia, who with
Chairman Udall championed the cause of surface coal mine
reclamation on the House Interior Committee, said, "Getting
states to take on the responsibility for regulating their surface
coal mines was a breakthrough accomplishment, made possible by Mo
Udall's leadership. As such, recognizing stand-out performance by
states under the surface mining law will be a truly fitting way
to honor Chairman Udall's great public service career."
     The Morris K. Udall Award is designed to recognize
extraordinary accomplishment by states and Indian tribes in
achieving the goals of SMCRA, Uram
said. In addition, it will acknowledge the development and
effective use of new technologies, promote better operation of
state and tribal surface mining programs through the adoption of
innovative practices, and encourage programs that build stronger
and more effective SMCRA programs.
     "Over the past several years, great enthusiasm and a healthy
spirit of competition have resulted from OSM's Excellence in
Surface Mining awards program 
as well as OSM's Abandoned Mine Reclamation awards program," Uram
said. "We expect that over time, the Morris K. Udall Award will
generate the same kind of positive effects among state and
tribally operated surface mining programs. That can only mean
further improvements for the work of seeing that coal mines
everywhere in the country are properly operated and effectively
reclaimed."

     OSM's Office of Communications will be responsible for
administering the Udall award program, Uram said. The award will
be given for one of three types of innovation þ in reclamation
practices, government services, or in public communication. A
state may demonstrate innovation by implementing an approved
program amendment, issuing a formal policy, or instituting a
public information program.
     Udall award nominations will be accepted from individuals,
organizations, or agencies of state, local, or tribal government.
Officials and employees of states and tribes may nominate their
own agencies or those of other states and tribes. Nominations
that do not win the award may be resubmitted for future
consideration.
     The awards program will operate on an annual cycle, with no
more than one award presented per year. Moreover, the award need
not be presented every year, and will not be presented in any
year that the judges determine none of the nominations are
outstanding.
     Annually, on or about January 1, OSM will distribute a
formal call for award nominations, with complete details.
Nominations must be received no later than June 30 for judging to
be completed in time to announce results on August 3, 1996 þ the
19th anniversary of SMCRA.
     "The Morris K. Udall Award will always stand for an
exceptional degree of program attainment, in keeping with Mo
Udall's vision of the highest standards of protection for the
people and resources of America's coalfields," Uram emphasized.
"Thus, the award will not be presented for any result short of
exceptional."
     Morris K. Udall was elected to Congress in 1961, filling the
seat vacated when his brother, Stewart L. Udall, was appointed
Secretary of the Interior by President
John F. Kennedy. Morris Udall's leadership in the House protected
public lands
through passage of the Wilderness Act and the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act, as well as the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act. His efforts reformed the seniority system in the
House of Representatives and secured passage of the Civil Service
Reform Act of 1976. In 1984, Morris Udall was named the most
respected and most effective member of the U.S. Congress by the
full membership, supporters and opponents alike. He served with
distinction as Chairman of the House Committee on Interior and
Insular Affairs (now known as the House Resources Committee)
until medical disabilities led to his retirement from Congress in
1991. He lives in Washington, D.C.

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