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Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 2007 Update

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 2007 Update. Ervin Barchenger Acting Regional Director Mid-Continent Region 21 st Annual Surface Mined Land Reclamation Technology Transfer Seminar Indiana Society of Mining and Reclamation Jasper, Indiana December 4, 2007.

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Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 2007 Update

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  1. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 2007 Update Ervin Barchenger Acting Regional Director Mid-Continent Region 21st Annual Surface Mined Land Reclamation Technology Transfer Seminar Indiana Society of Mining and Reclamation Jasper, Indiana December 4, 2007

  2. OSM Rulemaking • FY2006 AML Amendments • Stream Buffer Zone/Excess Spoils • Coal Combustion By-products • Ownership and Control

  3. FY 2006 AML Re-Authorization • 2008 Funds Distribution Policy Paper early December 2007 • FY 2008 Funds Distribution on December 15, 2007 • Proposed Rule published in January 2008 • Final Rule Published by September 30, 2008

  4. Stream Buffer Zone/Excess Spoils • Proposed Rule and Draft EIS published August 24, 2007 • Four Public Hearings held on October 24, 2007 • Comment period closed November 24, 2007 • Over 34,000 comments received • Final Rule expected in late 2008

  5. Coal Combustion By-Products • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in early 2007 • Over 1,900 letters were received; including letters from industry, utilities, States, and environmental groups • Proposed Rulemaking in late 2007 • Environmental Assessment to be completed in early 2008 • Final Rule will be published in late 2008

  6. Ownership and Control Transfer, Sale, Assignment of Rights • Proposed O & C Rule published on December 29, 2003 • Proposed TSA Rule published on January 26, 2005 • Re-proposed O & C and TSA Rule published October 10, 2006 • Replaces the two previous proposed rules • Proposed Rule is based on Settlement Agreement with NMA • Final Rule will be published in early December 2007

  7. Technology and Training • Applied Science • Underground Mine Mapping • Reforestation • National Technical Training Program (NTTP) • Technical Innovation and Professional Services (TIPS) • MCR Technical Assistance • MCR Technology Transfer

  8. Applied Science ProjectsFY 2005 – FY 2007 • FY2005 – 12 projects funded ($490,352) • University of Illinois $49,900 (Phase I - Evaluate Crop Yield) • FY2006 – 11 projects funded ($841,359) • University of Illinois $24,125 (Phase II - Evaluate Crop Yield) • Indiana Geological Survey $95,381 (AMD Abatement) • Texas Prairie View A&M $99,903 (AMD Prediction) • FY2007 – 11 projects funded ($950,683) • University of Illinois $99,991 (Crop Yield Prediction) • Northern Illinois University $53,237 (Longwall Impact Hydrology)

  9. 2005 Applied ScienceProject Status

  10. 2006 Applied ScienceProject Status

  11. 2007Applied ScienceProject Status

  12. Mine Map Scanning Projects Purpose: Acquire and scan mine maps often available only in paper copy. The maps are then available electronically to users. Advantages: • Improved images • Preservation of information • Fast retrieval of information • Fast application to current problems • Increase/fast distribution of mine related information

  13. Mine Map Scanning ProjectsFY 2006 – FY 2007 • FY2006 – 12 projects funded ($344,746) • Alabama Geological Survey $17,500 • Alabama Surface Mine Commission $13,260 • Indiana Geological Survey $19,043 • Iowa Geological Survey $11,330 • Missouri Div. of Geology and Land Survey $54,995 • FY2007 – 7 projects funded ($375,756) • Alabama Geological Survey $30,000 • Indiana Geological Survey $19,009

  14. FY 2006 – 2007 Mine Map Projects

  15. FY 2006 – 2007 Mine Map ProjectsContinued

  16. FY 2008 Applied Science & Mine MappingProject Award Process • October 2, 2007 project solicitation began • January 2, 2008 project solicitation ends • March 2008 projects are selected • May 2008 project funding is distributed • Applied Science – approximately $900,000 available • Mine Mapping – approximately $300,000 available • For details visit: www.techtransfer.osmre.gov

  17. Reforestation Initiative • OSM’s Primary Program Objective in 2007 – 2008 • Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (http://arri.osmre.gov) • MCR Reforestation Goals • Conduct outreach meetings in 2008 • Begin a study assessing the quality trees on reclaimed areas • Collect information on acres reclaimed to trees • Work with State agencies to identify and remove regulatory impediments to reforestation • Assess applicability of ARRI’s Forestry Reclamation Approach to mid-western area mine reclamation • Begin planning for a MCR Reforestation Forum or Workshop

  18. National Technical Training Program • Increase basic knowledge of technical subjects • Increase technical competency and skills • Stay abreast of technological changes • Find common ground for enforcing surface mining laws • Foster State/Tribal/Federal partnerships Purpose is to provide opportunities for State, Federal and Tribal personnel to:

  19. National Technical Training ProgramFY 2007 Program Attendance OSM 16% Other 21% Tribes 1% States 62%

  20. National Technical Training Program FY 2006 & FY 2007 Program Instructors FY 2006 NTTP Instructors183 State & Federal Instructors From 38 Offices FY 2007 NTTP Instructors162 State & Federal Instructors From 37 Offices States/Tribes 47% States/Tribes 38% Solicitors 6% Solicitors 5% Others 5% Others 3% OSM 45% OSM 51%

  21. National Technical Training ProgramFY 2008 Training Plans • Conduct 52 Classes • Co-Sponsor benchmarking, forums & workshops • SMCRA Oral History & Video • Enhance Website • Course references and other materials on-line • Support/Develop Reforestation Courses

  22. TIPS Training Program

  23. Classroom Students

  24. FY 2008 TIPS Training Courses • 27 TIPS Core Software Packages • AMD Pollution Abatement Cost Estimation • Data Base Management • Geographic Information System (GIS) • Geologic Modeling • Mapping / Engineering Site Design • Mobile Computing-GPS • RemoteSensing • Statistical Analysis • Surface and Ground Water Modeling • Slope Stability Analysis • Water Quality Analysis • 37 TIPS Classes Offered • 34 Classroom Courses • 3 On-line Courses • 83 ESRI Online Courses and Online Workshops Available

  25. TIPS Customers • 43 Customer Sites • States • Tribes • OSM Offices • Customer Support • Software and Hardware Technical Assistance (www.tips.osmre.gov) • Service Managers

  26. MCR Technical Assistance ProjectsFY 2006 and FY 2007

  27. Geospatial Technologies • Spatial Databases (ArcSDE) • Mobile Computing • Electronic Permitting • Remote Sensing – Satellite, Aerial, Thermal Camera, Electromagnetic Devices (EM38), Hand-held X-Ray Fluorescence

  28. Hydrology • AMD Remediation – Passive and Active Treatment • Well Investigations, Well Pumping – medium to low flow capabilities • Down Hole Camera (AML Features, Well Completion, Well Characteristics) • PHC/CHIA (Large Watershed Modeling)

  29. Engineering • Spatial Data Collection: RTK, Total Station, GPS (meter, sub-meter, sub-foot) • Subsidence • Design - Natural Landforms and Automated Re-design • Landform Stability • Blast Monitoring • Gas Monitoring

  30. Natural Resources • Wetland Delineation (404 permit assistance) • Wildlife Habitat Assessment • Aquatic (Benthic) Water Monitoring (AMD, stream health, stream quality) • Habitat Use (Indiana Bat Study) • Endangered Species (Recovery Plans) • Soil Substitution Assistance and Studies • Prime Farmland Productivity

  31. MCR Technology Transfer Activities

  32. MCR Technology Transfer Products & Services • National Technology Transfer Website www.techtransfer.osmre.gov • MCR Website (www.mcrcc.osmre.gov) • MCR AMD 2007 Workshop • MCR Technology Transfer Workshops • MCR Reforestation Initiatives • New MCR Technology Transfer CD • PHC/CHIA Resource Document • 2006 CCB Interactive Forum Proceedings, Columbus, OH

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