For Release June 7, 1999                Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
                                        jchildre@osmre.gov

     OSM SEEKS COMMENTS ON VIRGINIA MOUNTAINTOP MINING REPORT

     Kathy Karpan, Director of the Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), today released a draft oversight report on the
regulation of Virginia coal mining operations commonly referred to as mountaintop
operations.  The report focuses on approximate original contour (AOC) variances and
postmining land uses.

     Karpan said OSM will accept comments on the draft report through June 28,
1999.  Copies can be downloaded from OSM's home page at www.osmre.gov; obtained
from OSM's Big Stone Gap Field Office on (540) 523-4303 or from OSM's Office of
Communications on (202) 208-2719.

     As part of an Appalachian regional effort to identify and address issues related to
mountaintop removal operations, the report focuses on two main issues.  First, what
standard does the Virginia Department of Mining, Minerals and Energy (DMME)  use to
determine if a particular postmining land configuration constitutes a return to AOC. And,
second, whether or not DMME requires appropriate postmining land uses when it
grants a waiver from AOC requirements.  The report was developed by OSM's Big
Stone Gap Field Office, with assistance from the OSM Appalachian Regional
Coordinating Center, the Department of the Interior's Solicitor's Office and the DMME.

     Karpan explained that the report is a product of OSM's regular process of state
program evaluation.  Most coal states operate their own programs for regulating surface
coal mining and reclamation.  Interior Department approved state surface mining
programs such as Virginia's receive financial and technical support from OSM, plus
regular operational evaluations through a process known as federal oversight.

     All comments on the draft oversight report should be directed to Office of
Surface Mining, Attention:  Robert A. Penn, 1941 Neeley  Road, Suite 201,
Compartment 116, Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219, or e-mail to RPENN@OSMRE.GOV. 
For comments, questions, or media inquiries, contact Allen D. Klein, OSM Appalachian
Regional Director on (412) 937-2828.

                              -OSM-