What is Oversight?

OSM defines "oversight", as the "process of evaluating and assisting states [and tribes] in the administration, implementation, and maintenance of approved programs. OSM is working to make this process more transparent to interested parties by increasing outreach and encouraging public participation throughout its annual oversight activities.

Get Involved!

If you are interested in participating in this process, or in reading more on activities within a specific state/tribe, please select it from the map to the right or the list below. You will then be directed to the specific OSM Regional/Field Office responsible for oversight in that state/tribe.

Regulatory Directive (REG8)

Directive REG-8, Oversight of State Regulatory Programs.

Reg-8 identifies 9 types of documents that describe the agency's oversight responsibilities and activities for a given evaluation year (EY). The following is a list of those types of documents and a short description:

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS are written plans for conducting oversight activities in a state or on tribal lands during one or more Evaluation Years. Performance Agreements are developed by OSM in collaboration with the state or tribe to the maximum extent possible with consideration of input provided by the public.

ACTION PLANS are detailed schedules of specific measures to be taken to resolve regulatory program problems identified during OSM's oversight of a state or tribal regulatory program.

ANNUAL EVALUATION REPORTS are state or tribal program-specific reports prepared annually by OSM on the evaluation of a state or tribe's implementation, administration, maintenance, and enforcement of the state or tribal program.

TOPIC SPECIFIC OVERSIGHT REPORTS are individual reports prepared annually by OSM as part of the oversight of each state and tribe that contain the findings and details regarding the evaluation of specific elements of state or tribal programs. Summaries of the Topic Specific Oversight Reports are contained in the Annual Evaluation Report for the state or tribe. Topics to be evaluated are specified in each Annual Performance Agreement for a state or tribe.

MEETING SUMMARIES are summaries of public meetings and OSM/state/tribe meetings held concerning the oversight process including the meeting date, time, location, purpose and a synopsis of topics discussed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS include comments, complaints or observations from citizens pertaining to the Performance Agreement, Annual Evaluation Report, or the evaluation process.

CORRESPONDENCE includes copies of substantive letters or other correspondence concerning oversight evaluation techniques, topics, schedules and findings.

SUMMARY OF CITIZEN COMPLAINTS identifies the number of complaints received by OSM; along with the topic, status, and the disposition of each.

INSPECTABLE UNITS LIST/INSPECTIONS can include two types of reports: One report lists of all inspectable units within the state or tribal boundary. An inspectable unit is a surface coal mining and reclamation operation or a coal exploration operation for which an inspection obligation exists. One report lists all of the OSM oversight inspections completed during the Evaluation Year.