(WASHINGTON) - Interior Secretary Gale Norton today announced that the Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining has awarded Wyoming a $2,120,036 Administration and Enforcement Grant to provide funding for inspection, permitting and enforcement of the state's regulatory program.

"This grant, combined with state matching funds, will support Wyoming's program to inspect active coal mines and enforce Surface Mining Act requirements to protect people and the environment during mining and ensure prompt land restoration afterward," said Norton.

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, the law that regulates coal mining throughout the country, established coordinated efforts between the states and the federal government as an ongoing basis of reclamation efforts. The Law gives states authority to regulate active coal mining and also fund the reclamation of abandoned mine problems.

The OSM grant, combined with the state contributing funds of $286,361, will cover the costs of salaries and fringe benefits for the equivalent of 28.9 full time employees. There are 35 inspectable mine sites in Wyoming. Annual coal production for 2004 was 396.5 million tons.