Surface Mining: Difficulties in Reclaiming Mined Lands in Pennsylvania and West Virginia
RCED-86-221
Published: Sep 22, 1986. Publicly Released: Oct 21, 1986.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reported on the bonding systems for reclamation of strip-mined land in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Interior | In order to ensure the reclamation of coal-mined lands, the Secretary of the Interior should require the Director, OSMRE, to work with the states to ensure that all bond forfeiture lands are quickly assessed and the most hazardous sites are reclaimed rapidly. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Interior believes that any bonding requirements, including forfeiture and site assessment procedures applicable to interim sites, are the exclusive jurisdiction of the states. Interior also believes that it is too early to assess the adequacy of permanent program alternative bonding systems. Consequently, no action is planned at this time.
|
| Department of the Interior | Because environmental problems may arise if sites remain unreclaimed for extended periods of time, the Secretary of the Interior should require the Director, OSMRE, to study, compare, and contrast the state reclamation processes and work with the states to implement the most efficient and effective reclamation process. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Interior responded that it believes OSMRE state oversight procedures already provide for the review and comparison of permanent program reclamation processes and that no changes are needed. Interior noted, however, that it plans to provide oversight data and encourage states to reduce any undue delays in getting interim forfeiture sites reclaimed.
|
| Department of the Interior | In order to ensure that adequate funds are available to reclaim forfeited mine sites, the Secretary of the Interior should require the Director, OSMRE, to take the lead in examining the interim program funding problem and report to Congress its recommendations for ensuring the reclamation of these lands. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Interior responded that, in its opinion, it is inappropriate for OSMRE to ensure that funds are available to reclaim interim program forfeiture sites. Further, it does not believe that OSMRE has the authority to effect changes to state interim program bond forfeiture procedures and, to do so, would require amending the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.
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| Department of the Interior | In order to ensure that adequate funds are available to reclaim forfeited mine sites, the Secretary of the Interior should require the Director, OSMRE, to develop formal criteria for evaluating the adequacy of alternative bonding systems, and determine the adequacy of existing alternative bonding systems, including the impact that expenditures for program administration have on the ability of the states to reclaim abandoned lands. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Interior responded that OSMRE already has formal procedures for evaluating the adequacy of permanent program alternative bonding systems, and that OSMRE also conducts special reviews of alternative bonding systems. Consequently, it does not see the need to develop additional procedures or take additional steps, at this time.
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Topics
Coal miningFunds managementHealth hazardsPerformance bondsProgram managementSafety regulationStrip mining land reclamationBail bondsAgricultural landCoal