OSM NEWS
U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of Surface Mining
For release October 15, 1999            Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
                                   jchildre@osmre.gov

               WESTERN ENERGY COMPANY'S BRUCE WAAGE
              WINS INTERIOR'S BEST OF THE BEST AWARD

     Kathy Karpan, Director of the Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) recently announced that Bruce Waage, Senior
Reclamation Specialist for the Western Energy Company in Colstrip, Montana, is the
1999 winner of the Excellence in Surface Mining Reclamation Awards prestigious Best-of-the-Best Award.

     Karpan recognized Waage for outstanding reclamation achievement and
personal contribution to on-the-ground success at Western Energy's Rosebud Mine
during ceremonies at the National Mining Association's annual meeting in St. Louis,
Missouri, on October 11.  

     "Bruce's initiative, dedication, personal high standard, and unsurpassed
commitment to ensuring reclamation success have resulted in a wide variety of
noteworthy projects year after year," Karpan said.  "His personal efforts have resulted in
preservation of petroglyphs, native wildlife, historical structures, and significant
landscape features.  His unique environmental ethic and outstanding accomplishments
are a model for all mining professionals."  

     "Bruce Waage is a very modest person," Karpan said.  "But, he is a shining star
among all those in the coal mining industry.  We at OSM are proud to salute his efforts.  
He makes our job easier and is one of the reasons we can say the Surface Mining Law
is working."

     OSM sponsor's the Excellence in Surface Mining Reclamation Awards each year
to recognize and encourage the highest quality coal mine reclamation projects under
the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.

                              -OSM-