Introduction

This report, which updates and supersedes the Office of Surface Mining's 10-year progress report published in 1987, deals with the accomplishments of the regulatory and abandoned mine land reclamation programs during the first 15 years of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Part 1 is an illustrated description of on-the-ground accomplishments; Part 2 presents statistical information for the 15-year period. The data in this statistical report are organized in two sections: national statistics and state statistics. The national statistics provide an overview of coal mining and the implementation of SMCRA since 1977. The information reported for the states presents a brief description of the coal reserves in each area, accompanied by detailed statistics and graphs that relate each state to the nation as a whole. The statistics compiled in this report are from the Office of Surface Mining's files, computer data systems, and annual reports. During the early years of the program, many of the data categories were evolving and changing; therefore, data reported over the 15-year period are not complete for all states for all years, and where data was unavailable or zero, a dash (-) is shown for that item. The data sources used to compile the tables and graphs are listed and described in detail on page 76. Due to the number of requests for this information in the past, statistical information about coal mining and its regulation will be available each year as an appendix to the Office of Surface Mining's Annual Report to Congress. Beginning in Fiscal Year 1993, this information will be compiled and published on an annual basis. For more information about this report, call or write the: Public Affairs Office Office of Surface Mining 1951 Constitution Ave., N. W. Washington, D.C. 20240 (202) 208-2553