DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR news release OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING For release May 29, 1987 Dick Leonard (202) 343-4719 INTERIOR UNVEILS PLAN TO RECLAIM ABANDONED COAL MINES IN NATIONAL PARKS IN PA., TENN., KY., AND W.VA. The Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) and the National Park Service (NPS) have joined forces to reclaim abandoned coal mines on lands now part of the National Park System. A five-year, million-dollar plan was unveiled today to reclaim abandoned coal mines at the Priendship Hill National Historic Site in Pennsylvania, the Big South Fork National River Recreation Area in Tennessee and Kentucky, and the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia. Secretary of the Interior Don Bodel said the plan will enhance the natural beauty of the parks, and will increase the safety of park visitors in reclaimed areas within the parks. "In addition to our long-standing policy of not allowing mining activities in the National Parks, we are pleased we also can reclaim some abandoned mined lands that have been added to the National Park System, Hodel said. Coal mines in all three areas were abandoned before the 1977 surface mining law was enacted and before Friendship Hill, Big South Fork and New River were designated as parts of the National Park System. The reclamation plan was jointly announced by Directors Jed D. Christensen of OSMRE and William Penn Mott of NPS. The two Interior agency heads signed a formal agreement to work together on the projects. "These scenic and historic park areas are an important part of our national heritage," Mott said. "The mine reclamation will improve the park experience for visitors and restore precious land and water resources in these parks." The first reclamation work in the parks is scheduled for the New River Gorge this fall. The project, along a historical hiking trail near Fayetteville, W.Va., involves closing mine openings, reconstructing a mine drainage system to combat slide and erosion problems, and disposing of concrete foundations and a coal loading structure. The site is the Kay Moor No. 1 coal complex, last mined in 1962. "A significant feature of this initiative involves citizen volunteer efforts to complement work that can be done with federal reclamation funds," Christensen explained. The volunteer dimension is a creative example of what can be done through the national 'Take Pride in America' program, aimed at involving all Americans in the care and stewardship of our Nation's outdoor heritage." (more) The scenic and powerful New River, one of the oldest rivers in the world, is popular with white water enthusiasts. It flows north from the headwaters in the mountains of North Carolina through Virginia to its confluence with the Gauley River in West Virginia. Congress designated 50 miles of the river from Hinton to Fayetteville in West Virginia as the New River Gorge National River in 1978. The NPS administers 62,000 acres along the river corridor. The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River was designated a National River and Recreation Area in 1974. The area, about two-thirds in Tennessee and one-third in Kentucky, covers 122,960 acres including 90 miles of stream. The 674-acre Friendship Hill National Historic Site on the Monongahela River near Point Marion, Pa., was authorized by Congress in 1978. The heavily mined Friendship Hill is the site of the home of Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Jefferson and Madison. The Gallatin mansion, built in 1789 on what then was the edge of the country's western frontier, is undergoing restoration. AMENDMENT TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE BUREAU OF MINES AND THE OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT This amendment to the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Mines (BOM) and the office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is for the purpose of defining Abandoned Kine Reclamation Research activity coordination. The Congress of the United States, in the continuing resolution for Federal agencies for fiscal year 1987, has directed that authority to conduct Abandoned Mine Reclamation Research activities as authorized by P.L. 95-87, Section 401 (c) (6) shall be transferred from OSKRI to BOM beginning in PY 87. The Congress has provided the necessary appropriations to BOM for the purposes of conducting the research. II. PurpOLS The purpose of this amendment is to set forth the liaison for coordination of the Abandoned Kine Reclamation Research activities between BOM and OSKRE. III. Ecope and Responsibilities It is agreed by both parties that transfer of Abandoned Mine Reclamation Research activities applies to the FY 87 program and subsequent years when Congress appropriates research funds to BOM. Prior fiscal year(s) appropriations presently being administered by OSMRE will remain the responsibility of ŎSHRE. As directed by the Congress, the BOM will administer and conduct Abandoned Mine Reclamation Research funded during FY 87 and subsequent appropriations made to BOM. IV. Transfer of Personnel It is agreed by both parties that consistent with the provisions of $ U.S.C. 1104 and the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, OSMRE will designate one employee with experience in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Research program for transfer to som. Coordination OSHRE will designate an individual to be on the That person will be responsible for coordinated input by VI. Reports VII. BOK will provide OSMRE with 20 copies of final project If OSMRE personnel want to visit BOM project sites, MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Between The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement And The U.S. Geological Survey Interagency Committee for Program Coordination This revised Memorandum of Understanding replaces the original MOU signed on August 25, 1983, by Doyle G. Frederick, Acting Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and on September 8, 1983, by J.D. Harris, former Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). It is in the national interest that related program responsibilities of the OSMRE and the USGS be closely coordinated and mutually supportive. Accordingly, there is hereby established an OSMRE/USGS Interagency Committee for Program Coordination. The Committee will have the authority to establish working groups to undertake studies of interagency issues and to make decisions within its areas of responsibilities. The Committee will be jointly chaired by the respective Directors of OSMRE and the USGS. The Committee will meet at least once every 6 months, but more often if necessary to resolve specific problems, or to initiate research activities. The primary responsibility of the Committee will be to coordinate related programs and research within the full range of interface between the two Bureaus. These include, but are not necessarily restricted to, programs involving the following activities. (1) Water monitoring and hydrologic studies. (2) Geologic and other thematic mapping and engineering geology. (3) Coal and rock geochemistry. (4) Mapping, cartography, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems. (5) Data and information management. (6) Environmental and economic data and other special studies. (7) Research coordination. The Committee will also provide for exchange of program and budget information during the preparation stage. |