OSM APPALACHIAN CLEAN STREAMS INITIATIVE--UPDATE
Submitted by Mike Robinson (OSM) and Chuck Cravotta (USGS)

The ACSI has stimulated new interest in AMD remediation projects by the States that administer the abandoned mine land (AML) tax receipts generated by Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA). Previously, AMD cleanup was conducted only incidentally with higher priority AML projects that were hazards, such as reclamation or stabilization of mine subsidence, landslides, or coal-waste embankments. In 1994, OSM Director Bob Uram clarified AML project priority to include AMD cleanup where degraded water quality affects the public welfare. Therefore, States can elect to fund AMD remediation projects with a portion of the approximately $136 million in AML grants that OSM provides annually to the States. In addition, President Clinton's fiscal 1996 budget request included an additional $11,000,000 that would go specifically to States' ACSI work. However, the $11,000,000 has not survived the House and Senate mark-ups as this article goes to press. Equally important to note as this article goes to press is that deep cuts are proposed in the FY 1996 budgets for both OSM and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). OSM is currently faced with a reduction in force of 370 of its 950 positions, whereas EPA is evaluating the cuts in programs and positions required because of a 34 percent cut in their FY 1996 appropriation. Obviously, if these levels of cuts occur, the mine-drainage efforts of the OSM and EPA will be severely limited. The following descriptions of OSM and EPA plans do not reflect the proposed budget cuts.

One of the intentions of the ACSI is to improve the efficiency of use of public funds to clean up AMD by facilitating and coordinating the exchange of information and by eliminating duplicative efforts among Federal, State, and local government agencies and private groups working on AMD problems. Given this mission and shared goals of the ACSI and the EPA Region III "Mine Drainage Program," OSM and EPA have developed a "Statement of Mutual Intent Strategic Plan" (SMISP) that identifies specific, shared objectives and tasks.

Following is a list of the eight objectives of the SMISP and the status of work to complete the objectives:

1. Cooperate as a clearinghouse to share and exchange data and information as they relate to identifying mine-drainage sites and establishing techniques to restore and improve water quality within watersheds adversely affected by mine drainage.

OSM is developing a national clearinghouse and library in the OSM Appalachian Regional Coordinating Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. The EPA and OSM are evaluating data and information that reside at EPA for inclusion in the clearinghouse and library and are developing an electronic annotated bibliography. OSM has established the Internet address cleanstream@osmre.gov for the clearinghouse.

OSM and EPA are designing and developing a watershed-based AMD Geographic Information System (GIS) and identifying existing data sources that can be incorporated into the GIS. The AMD GIS ultimately will include "macro" data on AMD-impacted streams, AMD abatement projects, and watershed-based organizations, plus "micro" coverages of water quality/quantity, land use, active and abandoned mines, topography, geology, hydrography, infrastructure, and satellite or aerial images.

2. Raise the level of awareness of government agencies, private organizations, and the general public on the serious environmental problems associated with mine drainage from abandoned coal mines.

OSM has plans to support a periodic newsletter to be published by the National Mine Land Reclamation Center (NMLRC), Morgantown, W.V. The OSM and EPA have sponsored several AMD conferences and workshops for the interactive participation of these groups with panelists from a variety of public and private organizations. The EPA and OSM are forming a multi-organizational team to develop a Citizen's Guide to AMD and Reclamation. The guide will provide methods for evaluating watersheds and AMD sources, identifying remediation options, and identifying potential funding sources. OSM has been assembling a list of watershed organizations and has initiated efforts to promote technology transfer and program visibility. OSM will assist States in sponsoring forums to bring together private groups and representatives of industry and government agencies to exchange information and conduct tours of AMD sites and reclamation projects.

3. Work with Federal, State, and local government agencies, watershed organizations, environmental groups, and other public and private organizations to target streams and watersheds which have been degraded by mine drainage.

EPA has provided funding to Pennsylvania and West Virginia for the development of their programs to identify streams and watersheds for restoration. OSM has taken administrative action through the AML program to increase funds available to States for stream cleanup projects. Twelve projects for restoring aquatic resources have been identified by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and funding strategies under the ACSI are being developed. OSM and EPA are developing an index of potential government and private sources of funding for AMD projects and are compiling a directory of government and nongovernment representatives for AMD-related programs, projects, and other activities.

4. Work to increase the understanding and applications of the best technology available for remediating and preventing mine drainage and to support the development of new technologies.

EPA and OSM are currently identifying and listing any demonstration projects involving AMD sites. EPA and OSM also are working with the States, U.S. Bureau of Mines, NMLRC, industry, and environmental groups to identify needs for future mine- drainage research.

5. Support efforts to establish and implement an effective remining program that reclaims abandoned coal mines.

EPA and OSM will solicit information from government and nongovernment sources to determine the limiting factors that inhibit remining programs and the incentives that are needed to develop an effective remining program that promotes mining while protecting environmental quality.

6. Provide a forum for the purpose of transferring technologies and other information about improving, restoring, and preventing further harm to watersheds that have been degraded by mine drainage.

OSM will coordinate a Technical Notes section for technology transfer within the AMD newsletter to be edited and published by the NMLRC. The EPA is developing an AMD section to their existing Nonpoint Source Electronic Bulletin Board and evaluating potential Bulletin Board opportunities.

7. Develop shared information management systems to minimize overlap in data collection and development, to save resources, and maximize the usefulness of data developed.

This objective encompasses the Clearinghouse, AMD-GIS, and other projects to provide "one-stop" shopping for persons interested in AMD cleanup.

8. Prepare periodic reports describing the extent and severity of the mine-drainage problem and the current status of ongoing efforts to improve and restore degraded watersheds.

The EPA and OSM will produce an annual report that includes measures of success with respect to the SMISP. The EPA and OSM have initiated development of indicators of accountability, program successes, and program failures of the SMISP. The first annual report is in draft and will be finalized for distribution at the second annual Mine Drainage Workshop in Cincinatti, Ohio, in December 1995 (see announcement of Future Meetings of Interest in this newsletter).

The OSM also has established a list server for the ACSI. Internet users can subscribe to the list by sending email to majordomo@osmre.gov. The body of the message should contain the message "subscribe cleanstream (your Internet address)." If you would like to be added to a mailing list for more information, send your name and address to:

Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative
Office of Surface Mining
1951 Constitution Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20240

Questions can be directed to Mary Ann Miovas via telephone at 412-937-2883, or via email at mmiovas@osmre.gov.