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Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

2007 Update

Ervin BarchengerActing Regional Director

Mid-Continent Region

21st Annual Surface Mined Land Reclamation Technology Transfer Seminar

Indiana Society of Mining and ReclamationJasper, Indiana

December 4, 2007

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OSM Rulemaking

FY2006 AML Amendments

Stream Buffer Zone/Excess Spoils

Coal Combustion By-products

Ownership and Control

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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2005 Applied Science Project Status

STATE INSTITUTION PI $ OSM SUBJECT STATUS

CO Geological SA GSA $10,000 Coal & Environment Report Complete

IL Univ of IL Dunker $49,900 Evaluate Crop Yield Phase I Complete

KY Univ of KY Sweigard $46,296 Reforestation Potential Project Complete

KY Univ of KY Warner $44,278 Headwater Stream Restoration Data Collection

MT Univ of MT Weaver $65,000 Vegetation Habitat Project Complete

PA PA DEP Hornberger $50,000 AMD Prediction Project Complete

PA Wilkes Univ $40,000 Inspection with GIS Data Collection

VA VA Tech Burger $40,000 Carbon Sequestration Project Complete

VA VA Tech Daniels $40,126 CCB Evaluation for Mining Report Complete

VA VA Tech Cherry $34,618 Watershed Restoration Data Analysis

WV WV Univ Donovan $50,134 Flooding of Mine Pools Data Collection

WV WV Univ $20,000 Subsidence Impact Streams Project Complete

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2006 Applied Science Project Status

STATE INSTITUTION PI $ OSM SUBJECT STATUS

CO CO State Univ Paschke $35,044 Shrub Establishment Data Collection

CO US Forest Service Musselman $99,929 Aspen Establishment Data Collection

IL Univ of IL Dunker $24,125 Crop Yield Prediction Phase II Complete

IN IN Geol. Survey. Branam $95,381 AMD Abatement Site Preparation

KY KY Nature Pre Kines $29,610 Wildlife Habitat GIS Data Analysis

OH OH Univ McCarthy $94,971 American Chestnut Restoration

Data Collection

PA Carnegie/Mellon U Whittaker $99,989 Robotic Survey

Underground Mine

Report Complete

TN Univ of TN Schwartz $100,000 Sediment Control Data Analysis

TX Prairie View A&M McWhinney $99,903 AMD Prediction Data Collection

VA Map Tech Kern $84,430 Sediment Control Data Collection

WY Univ of WY Stahl $78,004 Soil Handling Impact on

Plant Diversity

Data Collection

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2007 Applied Science Project Status

STATE INSTITUTION PI $ OSM SUBJECT STATUS

IL Univ of IL Dunker $99,991 Crop Yield Prediction Funded

IL Northern IL Univ Booth $53,237 Longwall Impact Hydrology Funded

KY Univ of KY Lusk $100,000 Blasting Impacts on Structures Funded

NM Aimone - Martin Aimone -Martin

$48,320 Blasting Measurement Funded

PA Penn State Burgos $99,702 AMD Passive Treatment Funded

TN Univ of TN Schwarz $96,367 Sediment Measurement Funded

VA VA Tech Karmis $100,000 Subsidence Prediction & Control Funded

VA VA Tech Daniels $99,301 Coal Refuse Leach Prediction Funded

WV WV Univ Vandivort $53,800 AMD Mitigation Funded

WV WV Univ Petty $99,997 Stream & Wetland Mitigation Funded

WV WV Univ Fletcher $99,967 Model Underground Mine Hydrology Funded

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Mine Map Scanning Projects

Improved images Preservation of information Fast retrieval of information Fast application to current problems Increase/fast distribution of mine related

information

Purpose: Acquire and scan mine maps often available only in paper copy. The maps are then available electronically to users.

Advantages:

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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

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FY 2006 – 2007 Mine Map Projects

State Agency Project Year $ OSM

AL Geological Survey Continue underground mine map inventory/GIS database

2006

2007

$17,500

$30,000

AL Surface Mine Commission Scan maps from 41 permits 2006 $13,260

CO Div Minerals & Geology Digitize, geo-reference maps 2006 $25,000

IA Geological Survey Digitize, geo-reference and catalog maps 2006 $11,330

IN Geological Survey Scan historic coal mine maps 2006

2007

$19,043

$19,009

KY Mine Safety & Licensing Scan pre-law to 2007 maps 2006 $35,250

KY Dept. of Natural Resources Preserve, scan, digitize, geo-reference maps 2007 $96,023

MO Div. of Geology & Land Survey

Digitize, geo-reference and catalog maps 2006 $54,995

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FY 2006 – 2007 Mine Map ProjectsContinued

State Agency Project Year $ OSM

ND Public Service Commission Digital archiving of ND coal mine maps 2006 $6,000

NM Geology & Mineral Resources

Scan coal mine maps 2006 $42,202

OH Geological Survey Scan and geo--reference maps 2007 $49,413

PA Dept. of Environmental Protection

Storage, conservation, and cataloging maps 2006

2007

$25,000

$44,882

UT Geological Survey Update coal mine map database 2007 $26,400

VA Dept. of Mines, Minerals, and Energy

Digitize, geo-reference maps 2006

2007

$40,309

$110,030

WV Miner’s Health, Safety, & Training

Begin documentation on about 100,000 maps 2006 $54,857

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FY 2008 Applied Science & Mine Mapping

Project 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

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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

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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 is to provide opportunities for State, Federal and Tribal personnel to:

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National Technical Training Program FY 2007 Program Attendance

1080 286 364 16

States 62%

OSM 16%

Tribes 1%

Other 21%

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National Technical Training Program FY 2006 & FY 2007 Program Instructors

FY 2006 NTTP Instructors183 State & Federal Instructors From 38 Offices

83 85 10 5

OSM 45%

States/Tribes 47%

Solicitors 5%

Others 3%

82 61 11 8

OSM 51%

States/Tribes 38%

Solicitors 6%

Others 5%

FY 2007 NTTP Instructors162 State & Federal Instructors From 37 Offices

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National Technical Training Program FY 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

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TIPS Training Program

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194207

282 285

352

120

325

370386 393

456

260

366

403

0

100

200

300

400

500

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Classroom Students

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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 Remote Sensing 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

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TIPS Customers

43 Customer Sites States Tribes OSM Offices

Customer Support Software and Hardware Technical Assistance

(www.tips.osmre.gov) Service Managers

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MCR Technical Assistance Projects FY 2006 and FY 2007

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

FY 2006 FY 2007

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Geospatial Technologies

Spatial Databases (ArcSDE)

Mobile Computing

Electronic Permitting

Remote Sensing – Satellite, Aerial, Thermal Camera, Electromagnetic Devices (EM38), Hand-held X-Ray Fluorescence

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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)

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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

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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

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MCR Technology Transfer Activities

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Workshops Held Workshops Planned Tech Transfer Display Presentations/Papers/Posters

2006 2007

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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

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