The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a series of meetings around the country soliciting input on the proposed consolidation of OSM within BLM.
The outreach is part of an effort directed by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to gather input from stakeholders on the proposal to combine the strengths of both bureaus to continue Interior’s efforts to improve government. This is consistent with the Secretary’s plan to not move forward with a potential consolidation without full coordination and input of employees, members of Congress, states, tribes, industry, representatives of communities affected by coal production and other interested parties.
These meetings will include discussions on how best to maintain OSM’s status as an independent bureau with regulatory responsibilities under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, while exploring ways to integrate some administrative functions of both entities. A meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 23 at the BLM Montana State office, 5001 Southgate Dr., Billings, from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Secretary Salazar has directed the directors of OSM and BLM and other Interior officials to report by Feb. 15 on the consultations with the bureaus’ employees, Congressional committees, and interested parties, such as tribes, state regulatory officials, industry, and representatives of communities affected by coal mining. For stakeholders who are unable to attend the meetings in person, Interior has set up a website to accept comments from the public. For more information or to submit comments, visit http://www.doi.gov/bureaus/blm-osm/consolidation.cfm.
For instant updates on OSM, follow OSM on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/OSMRE or visit the OSM home page at http://www.osmre.gov. To see more on BLM, visit http://www.blm.gov.
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement carries out the requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 in cooperation with states and tribes. OSM’s objectives are to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in a manner that protects citizens and the environment during mining, to ensure that the land is restored to beneficial use after mining, and to mitigate the effects of past mining by aggressively pursuing reclamation of abandoned coal mines.
The BLM manages more land – over 245 million acres – more than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the Nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
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