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GENERAL - The U.S. Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is examining
methods that would enhance post mining land use plans that promote the planting of trees
on active and abandoned surface coal mines. Benefits of reforestation are many and
would include improving wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities, restoration of
clean water resources, erosion prevention, and the creation of new economies based on
forest products.
HISTORY - OSM conducted several outreach efforts in this
area.
May 13, 1998 - Reforestation
of Mined Lands and Carbon Emission Offsets (Objective: to better define the issues
and possible roles of OSM)
January 14, 1999 - Policy Outreach
Symposium (Objective: to provide clarification on current
OSM policy on tree planting)
March 23-24, 1999 -
A Technical
Interactive Forum on Enhancement of Reforestation on Coal Mine Land
(Multiple objectives:)
highlight information on successful reforestation efforts and
technologies that are currently being used to enhance reforestation on active and
abandoned coal mined lands,
identify region specific impediments to tree planting, and
review recommendations for removing unnecessary barriers to tree
planting and for promoting technologies with potential for enhancing tree planting
efforts.
August of 1999 - OSM published the proceedings of
"A
Technical Interactive Forum on Enhancement of Reforestation on Coal Mine Land."
November 30, 1999 -
State or Tribally specific multi-interest group team: OSM Director Kathy Karpan sent an open
invitation to all State and Tribal coal mining regulatory authorities to develop
a
State or Tribally specific multi-interest group team to come up with specific
programs to enhance reforestation on coal mined lands.
QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE OSM REFORESTATION INITIATIVE CAN BE
DIRECTED TO:
Kimery Vories
OSM MCR
501 Belle St.
Alton, IL 62002
(618) 463-6463 extension 103
kvories@osmre.gov
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Coal Mine Land Reforestation
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