Coal Production

Coal in Iowa ranges from sub-bituminous to high bituminous with an estimated 2.2-billion-ton reserve. Coal-bearing areas cover about 18,468 square miles, or 33 percent of the State. Most coal seams in Iowa are less than five feet thick and have relatively high sulfur content. Iowa coal mining activities began in the 1840s and ceased in 1994 with 58,855 tons being mined that year.

Regulation

Coal mining and reclamation in Iowa is regulated by the Mines and Minerals Bureau of the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Division of Soil Conservation.

Todd Coffelt of the Mines and Minerals Bureau has responsibility for SMCRA activities related to active coal mining in the State of Iowa.

Reclamation

Todd Coffelt of the Mines and Minerals Bureau has responsibility for SMCRA activities related to abandoned coal mines in the State of Iowa.

Iowa has participated in the OSM Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program since 2005. Ten acid mine drainage projects have been completed or are underway. Partner funding for Watershed Cooperative Agreement projects vary from 30% to 89.5% with an average participation of 70.5 percent.

Grants

Iowa grant reports and related documents are contained in the official grant file maintained at the:

Mid-Continent Regional Office
501 Belle Street, suite 216
Alton, IL 62002

They can be reviewed during normal business hours. Alternatively, these documents can be requested through the Alton Field Division or the Indianapolis Area Office and a copy of the grant file will be made available. The copy may be requested in paper or electronic format.

More Information

The Iowa Department of Agriculture - Mines and Minerals Bureau

Iowa Oversight Documents

If you are interested in viewing current or past Oversight Documents, please click the appropriate link in the table below for all documents of a particular type for this State, or on the year listed below for all documents of a particular evaluation year for this State.

Oversight Documents by Evaluation Year
EY2010 EY2011 EY2012