WASHINGTON — The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is soliciting nominations for the 2024 Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards, the highest honor given to coal mining companies for exemplary coal mine reclamation in the United States. Nominations must be submitted by May 12.

Since 1986, OSMRE has presented National and Good Neighbor awards annually. National awards recognize achievement in a specific aspect of reclamation or for overall performance in meeting goals of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), and Good Neighbor awards are given to mine operators for successfully working with the surrounding landowners and the community while completing mining and reclamation work. This awards program is designed to help state and federal regulators transfer knowledge and information on outstanding reclamation methods and techniques from award-winning operations to other coal mine operators who engage in mining under SMCRA.

Surface coal mining and reclamation operations conducted under a Title V permit (1978-present) may be nominated for an award. In addition, non-permitted mining and reclamation activities that were completed using government financed reclamation contracts under enhanced abandoned mine land regulations are also eligible for nomination. Abandoned mine land reclamation projects (Title IV) are not eligible for a national award unless they are integrated into Title V permitted operations. 

Coal companies, regulatory authorities, state or federal mine inspectors, interest groups, or landowners may submit nominations. Company officials and employees may nominate their own operations. View previous Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards winners.

For more information about the awards program and to learn how to submit a nomination application, visit Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards. Submit questions about the awards to OSMRE at awards@osmre.gov.

– OSMRE –

OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines. For more information, visit www.osmre.gov or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

Abandoned coal mine reclamation and environmental protection remain top priorities

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris administration today released the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The budget makes critical, targeted investments in the American people that will promote greater prosperity and economic growth for decades to come, including nearly $305 million for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement to ensure coal mines are operated in a manner which protects citizens and the environment, land is restored to beneficial use following mining, and pollution and safety hazards from legacy abandoned coal mines are properly addressed.

"The President's fiscal year 2025 budget proposal makes critical investments in America's coal communities laying a stronger foundation for generations to come," said Sharon Buccino, OSMRE principal deputy director. "These investments will create good-paying jobs and encourage the economic growth of coal communities across the country."

At the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the budget will:

• Reclaim abandoned mine lands. A request for $175.8 million will restore eligible lands and waters mined and left inadequately reclaimed before the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act enactment in 1977, which includes:
  • $135 million for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization grants program to return legacy coal mining sites to productive use, foster local economic development, and help create good-paying jobs.
  • $21.1 million for state reclamation program oversight, expanded water treatment grants to mitigate acid mine drainage, federal reclamation operations and projects, and reclamation program development.
  • $19.7 million for technology development and transfer, financial management, and executive direction.

• Regulate coal mining and provide technical assistance. A request of $128.9 million will help OSMRE and states regulate active coal mining activities and provide technical training and assistance to state regulatory programs.
  • $91.4 million for environmental protection programs, of which $65 million is for state and Tribal regulatory grants.
  • $37.5 million for technology development and transfer, financial management and executive direction activities.

For more information on the President’s FY 2025 Budget, please visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/.

– OSMRE –

OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining, and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines. For more information, visit www.osmre.gov or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

WASHINGTON – Deputy Director Glenda Owens today announced the selection of William Joseph as the new regional director for the Mid-Continent Region of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

In this new role, Joseph will lead staff at the regional office in Alton, Illinois, the Tulsa Field Office in Oklahoma, and the Birmingham Field Office in Alabama, who implement the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act in a jurisdiction that covers 40% of all coal producing states in the country and on Tribal lands in Oklahoma. In fiscal year 2023, more than $178.2 million in abandoned mine land grants ($140.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) and $9.3 million in regulatory grants were available to eligible states and Tribes with coal programs in this region.

“I am very pleased to announce the selection of Bill Joseph as the regional director for the Mid-Continent Region,” said Deputy Director Owens. “Bill has served as the acting regional director for the past nine months and has close to 40 years of experience applying the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act on several levels, which prepares him well for this critical position.”

Joseph brings to this new role experience gained from boots-on-the-ground jobs such as an environmental protection specialist and geologist and leadership roles such as branch chief for the Technical Services and chief of the Program Support Division. Most recently, he directed the Alton Field Division, overseeing Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act operations in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa for four years. Joseph also has six years of experience as geologist with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. 

“I have spent my career pursuing the needs of the mining and reclamation community to meet the challenges of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act,” said Joseph, OSMRE regional director. “As the new regional director, my commitment is to continue focusing on the work on the ground and the needs of SMCRA communities, as this is where the mining impacts occur, and reclamation is achieved.”

Joseph holds a bachelor’s degree in reclamation from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville with graduate work in botany and statistics at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas. He is a graduate of the Office of Personnel Management’s Executive LEAD Certificate Program and has been a Henry Krumb Lecturer for the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration.

– OSMRE –

OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining, and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines.

WASHINGTON – The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has named the Thunder Basin Coal Company as the recipient of the 2023 Good Neighbor Award in recognition of its corporate citizenship at the Black Thunder and Coal Creek mines in Wyoming. The Good Neighbor Award is presented to a mine operator for successfully working with the surrounding landowners and the community while completing mining and reclamation.  

“It takes corporate stewards, citizen public servants, and all levels of government working in partnership to ensure that land mined for coal is reclaimed, so future generations can enjoy and use all of our lands,” said Deputy Director Glenda Owens.

Thunder Basin Coal Company works to protect and reclaim ecosystems during and after the mining process and has made substantial efforts to promote avian populations. Most recently, a golden eagle and a great horned owl were rescued by the company at Coal Creek Mine. A partnership between Thunder Basin, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming Game and Fish, the University of Idaho, and other partners tracks burrowing owls, and has funded projects to help provide habitat for the greater sage grouse. Thunder Basin has worked with biologists to study local mule deer movements.

Thunder Basin Coal Company has donated approximately $330,000 over the last three years to local nonprofits through its SABERS program, which fosters conversations within its workforce about personal safety and work safety. Each year, students tour the mines and learn about coal geology, mining, and the reclamation process. In 2022, mine personnel completed presentations to over 500 area elementary students. 

“It is a well-deserved honor for the employees of Black Thunder and Coal Creek mines to be nationally recognized by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,” said Jamie Olson, manager of environmental affairs, Arch Resources, Inc., Thunder Basin Coal Company. “The award reflects the company’s efforts and commitment to exemplary corporate citizenship.”

For more information on the Good Neighbor Award, visit www.osmre.gov/programs/excellence-in-surface-coal-mining-reclamation-award-recipients.

- OSMRE -

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with States and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining, and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines. 

WASHINGTON – As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to clean up legacy pollution, protect the environment, and revitalize the economy of coal communities, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has awarded $100,000 in a cooperative agreement for a watershed restoration project in Preston County, West Virginia. OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program provides funds to nonprofit organizations for the construction of acid mine drainage treatment facilities that help restore the health of local streams.

“Healthy watersheds are essential for communities, supplying water for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses,” said OSMRE Regional Director Thomas Shope. “WCAP funds help local nonprofit groups restore watersheds negatively impacted by abandoned mine lands and support citizen-based conservation in coal communities.”

Friends of the Cheat—dedicated to restoring, preserving, and promoting the natural qualities of the Cheat watershed—was awarded the WCAP grant to improve the acid mine drainage treatment system for the Sovern Run watershed, a tributary to Big Sandy Creek in the Cheat River watershed. This WCAP project will convert an existing passive AMD treatment system to a limestone leach bed, settling pond, and treatment wetland. The new system will improve the water quality of Sovern Run by reducing the metal and acidity loadings from abandoned mine lands within the watershed.

“We are very excited and grateful for this WCAP award. Restoring Sovern Run has been at the heart of our conservation efforts, and this is one of five sites we have implemented to improve water quality in this watershed,” said Madison Ball, conservation program director for Friends of the Cheat. “Sovern Run’s water quality has consistently improved with each restoration effort, and we are excited to build upon and maintain that success.”

About the WCAP Program:

WCAP grants are selected through a competitive merit review process and can fund the installation of passive or active water treatment systems, as well as the reclamation of lands that contribute sediment or acid forming materials to streams. WCAP grants result in partnerships that encourage long-term commitment to projects through engagement with local communities and environmental conservation groups.

– OSMRE –

OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines.

WASHINGTON – As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to clean up legacy pollution and revitalize the environment and economy of coal communities, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has awarded $30,000 in a cooperative agreement for a watershed restoration project in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program (WCAP) provides funds to nonprofit organizations for the construction of acid mine drainage treatment facilities that help to restore the health of local streams.

“Watersheds are essential for communities, supplying water for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses,” said OSMRE Regional Director Tom Shope. “WCAP funds help local nonprofit groups restore watersheds harmed by abandoned mine lands and support citizen-based conservation in coal communities.”

Moshannon Creek Watershed Association, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and improving Moshannon Creek and its tributary streams, was awarded the WCAP funds to repair the Mine Drift water treatment system. This reclamation project will ensure acid mine drainage is treated before being released into the Cold Stream watershed. Once repaired, the Mine Drift water treatment system will clean 7.88 million gallons of mine water per year. Cold Stream is a popular place for fishing and is also home to the Cold Stream Dam Recreational Area, a heavily used park in Philipsburg.

“Mine Drift is one of a series of mine drainage treatment systems that MCWA is working to rehabilitate on Cold Stream, and the first for which we have received a substantial repair grant, said Eric Rosengrant, president of the Moshannon Creek Watershed Association. “We plan to use this reclamation project as a demonstration to the community of how the problem of acid mine drainage can be addressed to generate more local interest towards repairing the other systems.”  

About the WCAP Program:

WCAP grants help organizations complete local acid mine drainage reclamation projects. Projects can include installation of passive or active water treatment systems, as well as reclamation of lands that contribute sediment or acid forming materials to streams. AMD projects are selected through a merit review process. WCAP grants result in partnerships that encourage long-term commitment to projects through engagement with local communities and environmental conservation.

– OSMRE –

OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines.

WASHINGTON – As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to clean up legacy pollution and revitalize the environment and economy of coal communities, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has awarded $100,000 in a cooperative agreement to the Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program provides funds to nonprofit organizations for the construction of acid mine drainage treatment facilities that help restore the health of local streams. 

“Healthy watersheds are essential for communities, supplying water for municipal, industrial, agricultural and recreational uses,” said OSMRE Regional Director Tom Shope. “WCAP funds help restore watersheds that have been negatively impacted by abandoned mine lands and support citizen-based conservation in coal communities.”

WPCAMR is the fiscal sponsor for Pennsylvania’s Quick Response program, which provides emergency or urgent maintenance repair assistance for abandoned mine drainage treatment systems throughout Pennsylvania. More than 300 AMD treatment systems in Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for a Quick Response grant to address emergency situations that arise or correct emergent issues before they can cause treatment system failure and impact water quality.

“WPCAMR is excited about its WCAP grant in support of our Quick Response program, said Andy McAllister, WPCAMR regional coordinator. “Keeping these treatment systems in good working order helps to maintain healthy streams across the commonwealth, while encouraging recreation, tourism, and economic development.”

About the WCAP Program

WCAP grants are selected through a competitive merit review process and can fund the installation of passive or active water treatment systems, as well as the reclamation of lands that contribute sediment or acid forming materials to streams. WCAP grants result in partnerships that encourage long-term commitment to projects through engagement with local communities and nonprofit groups.

– OSMRE –

OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines.

WASHINGTON– As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to clean up legacy pollution and revitalize the environment and economy of coal communities, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has awarded $100,000 in a cooperative agreement for a watershed restoration project in Dunkard Township, Pennsylvania. OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program (WCAP) provides funds to nonprofit organizations for the construction of acid mine drainage treatment facilities that help restore the health of local streams.

“Watersheds are essential for communities, supplying water for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses,” said OSMRE Regional Director Tom Shope. “WCAP funds help local nonprofit groups restore watersheds harmed by abandoned mine lands and support citizen-based conservation in coal communities.”

Stream Restoration Incorporated, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing issues related to abandoned mine sites by working to restore the land and treat acid mine drainage, was awarded the WCAP funds to improve the Maiden Passive Treatment System in Dunkard Township. Once completed, the system is expected to treat an estimated 150 million gallons of acid mine drainage per year, preventing more than 25,000 pounds of iron and 20,000 pounds of aluminum from entering Dunkard Creek and harming aquatic life.  

“Stream Restoration Incorporated is grateful to receive the WCAP grant from OSMRE,” said Cliff Denholm, executive director of Stream Restoration. “These matching funds are critical to complete our project to rehabilitate the Maiden Passive Treatment System and improve Dunkard Creek by leveraging more than $240,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.” 

About the WCAP Program

WCAP grants help organizations complete local acid mine drainage reclamation projects. Projects can include installation of passive or active water treatment systems, as well as reclamation of lands that contribute sediment or acid forming materials to streams. AMD projects are selected through a merit review process. WCAP grants result in partnerships that encourage long-term commitment to projects through engagement with local communities and environmental conservation.

– OSMRE –

OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines.

WASHINGTON – As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to clean up legacy pollution, protect the environment, and revitalize the economy of coal communities, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) has awarded $100,000 in a cooperative agreement for a watershed restoration project in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program (WCAP) provides funds to nonprofit organizations for the construction of acid mine drainage treatment facilities that help restore the health of local streams.

“Watersheds are essential for communities, supplying water for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses,” said OSMRE Regional Director Tom Shope. “WCAP funds help local nonprofit groups restore watersheds negatively impacted by abandoned mine lands and support citizen-based conservation in coal communities.”

The Schuylkill Headwaters Association, a nonprofit organization in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, dedicated to promoting the environmental health of the Schuylkill River, its tributaries, and the watershed that lies within the boundaries of Schuylkill County, was awarded the WCAP funds to improve the nearby Otto Colliery Airshaft Discharge Treatment System.

“Abandoned mine drainage from the Otto Colliery Airshaft Discharge is one of the largest sources of pollution in the Schuylkill River watershed,” said Bill Reichert, president of the Schuylkill Headwaters Association. “The WCAP funds will go towards addressing existing operational problems and prevent future problems, while providing greater treatment efficiency than the original system.”

About the WCAP Program

WCAP grants are selected through a competitive merit review process and can fund the installation of passive or active water treatment systems, as well as the reclamation of lands that contribute sediment or acid forming materials to streams. WCAP grants result in partnerships that encourage long-term commitment to projects through engagement with local communities and environmental conservation groups.

– OSMRE –

OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines.

WASHINGTON – As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to clean up legacy pollution and revitalize the environment and economy of coal communities, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement has awarded $132,000 in a cooperative agreement for a watershed restoration project in Coalton, West Virginia. OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program provides funds to nonprofit organizations for the construction of acid mine drainage treatment facilities that help restore the health of local streams.

“Watersheds are essential for communities, supplying water for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses,” said OSMRE Regional Director Tom Shope. “WCAP funds help local nonprofit groups restore watersheds negatively impacted by abandoned mine lands and support citizen-based conservation in coal communities.”

The Save the Tygart Watershed Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the Tygart River and its tributaries, was awarded the WCAP funds to re-establish a viable aquatic ecosystem in the Kittle Hollow and Roaring Creek. This reclamation project includes the construction of open limestone channels, limestone leach beds, and wetlands/settling ponds to clean, treat, and collect the metals in the effluent before it enters Kittle Hollow. The association’s long-term goal for this site is to remove the Roaring Creek from West Virginia’s 303(d) list of impaired and threated water bodies.

“Save the Tygart is excited to be able to complete work on the remediation of the North Portals tributary of Kittle Hollow,” said Kelley Flaherty, the association’s executive director. “We look forward to the positive impact this will have on the quality of the water flowing into Roaring Creek.”

About the WCAP Program:

WCAP grants are typically around $100,000 per project to complete local acid mine drainage reclamation projects. Projects can include installation of passive or active water treatment systems, as well as reclamation of lands that contribute sediment or acid forming materials to streams. AMD projects are selected through a merit review process. WCAP grants result in partnerships that encourage long-term commitment to projects through engagement with local communities and environmental conservation.

– OSMRE –

OSMRE carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and Tribes. OSMRE’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines.