By Lanny E. Erdos, Director, OSM
For nearly 50 years, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) has carried a responsibility that is both technical and deeply human. We ensure that coal mining is conducted responsibly, and that land and water impacted by mining are reclaimed and restored.
Over the course of my career — from working in a state regulatory program to now serving as the OSM director — I have learned that we do not accomplish this mission alone. Success at the federal level depends on a strong, cooperative partnership with the states and local communities.
And, if we want the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) to work the way it was intended, that partnership is critical. SMCRA was created to balance the nation’s need for coal with the responsibility to protect people, land and water. The law gives states and tribes the lead role in regulating mining, with federal oversight to ensure communities and the environment are protected for the long term.
Coal will continue to play a role in the nation’s energy mix for the foreseeable future. That makes our mission, and our partnership with state regulators more important than ever. We have an obligation to uphold environmental protections, provide regulatory certainty and ensure that reclamation is carried out in a way that supports communities.
My overarching priority is simple: strengthen the federal-state partnership so SMCRA works for the American people. That means improving how we support states through timely state program amendments, completing environmental reviews efficiently, delivering robust funding to states for abandoned mine land reclamation (Title IV), regulatory and enforcement (Title V), and providing high-quality training and technical assistance to the people doing the work on the ground.
Timely Amendment Reviews
SMCRA is grounded in cooperative federalism, with the states being the primary regulators. Our state partners are the closest to the work, closest to the communities and closest to the realities that shape how these programs operate day to day. When states seek amendments to their regulatory programs, they are often responding to new technologies, emerging challenges and lessons learned through experience.
OSM has a responsibility to consider these amendments carefully, but efficiently. States deserve a process that is consistent and transparent. Under the previous administration, reviews and final approvals were excessively long, which slowed progress and delayed permitting.
A stronger partnership means clearer expectations, realistic timelines and a federal review process that supports state leadership. That is the direction we are taking.
NEPA Reviews
Review under the National Environmental Planning Act (NEPA) is an important tool for ensuring mining activities are evaluated with care and transparency. Communities deserve confidence that environmental impacts are seriously considered. At the same time, operators need predictable schedules so they can plan their work responsibly.
That is why OSM is streamlining its NEPA review process to improve efficiency and accountability. Our objective is straightforward: ensure environmental reviews are complete and defensible, while also being timely enough to support responsible decision-making, and ensuring coal continues to contribute to a growing need for reliable, baseload energy.
Assistance for State Regulators
If we are to be successful in upholding OSM’s mission, then we must uphold the people — the inspectors, engineers, hydrologists and program managers — who carry out this work in the field and in their respective state offices. These are the people who meet with communities, conduct inspections, review mining plans and ensure that reclamation is done correctly.
For many states, the OSM training program is the primary training available to their staff. That makes our commitment to this program critical, and states deserve the very best support we can provide.
AML Funding
Abandoned mine land reclamation (AML) remains one of the most important areas of work shared by OSM and the states. Millions of Americans live within a mile of an abandoned coal mine. These sites can pose serious safety hazards and threaten environmental quality.
But our focus is more than just site cleanup. It is about restoring land to productive use and enabling investment in the future for coal communities. With AML funding, communities have benefited from reclaimed sites through new infrastructure, recreational opportunities and redevelopment opportunities.
OSM will work closely with state programs to ensure that funding is delivered quickly.
Partnership is not passive. It is a commitment to shared responsibility. It means hearing state concerns, valuing local knowledge and ensuring that federal oversight does not become a source of friction.
Our common mission is clear. Through transparent and respectful collaboration between OSM and the states, we can deliver responsible mining oversight, meaningful reclamation and effective environmental stewardship.
Source: www.coalage.com
