1 / 34

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 2007 Update

This update provides information on OSM's rulemaking, stream buffer zone/excess spoils, coal combustion by-products, and ownership and control. It also includes details on applied science projects, mine map scanning projects, reforestation initiatives, and the National Technical Training Program.

jlangford
Download Presentation

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 2007 Update

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  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

More Related