| Contacts: | Adam Fetcher (DOI) | , 202-208-6416 | ||
| Christopher Holmes (OSM) | , 202 208-7941 cholmes@osmre.gov | |||
| Jeff Krauss (BLM) | , 202-912-7410 jkrauss@blm.gov |
Office of Surface Mining, Bureau of Land Management Schedule Meetings with Stakeholders on Proposed Consolidation
WASHINGTON -- The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a series of meetings around the country soliciting input on the proposed consolidation of OSM within BLM.
The outreach is part of an effort directed by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to gather input from stakeholders on the proposal to combine the strengths of both bureaus to continue Interior’s efforts to improve government. This is consistent with the Secretary’s plan to not move forward with a potential consolidation without full coordination and input of employees, members of Congress, states, tribes, industry, representatives of communities affected by coal production and other interested parties.
These meetings will include discussions on how best to maintain OSM’s status as an independent bureau with regulatory responsibilities under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, while exploring ways to integrate some administrative functions of both entities. The meetings will be held at the following locations and times:
Tuesday, January 17, 2012, St. Louis, Missouri
Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel
9801 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012, Washington, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania National Guard Armory
125 Goodridge Lane
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 19, 2012, Charleston, West Virginia
West Virginia National Guard Armory
1703 Coonskin Drive
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, January 20, 2012, Knoxville, Tennessee (new location added)
Pellissippi State College Auditorium
10915 Hardin Valley Road
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 23, 2012, Billings, Montana
BLM Montana State Office
5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012, Denver, Colorado
BLM Colorado State Office
2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO
1 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012, Flagstaff, Arizona
Highlands Fire District
2838 Kona Trail
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 26, 2012, Window Rock, Arizona
Navajo Nation Museum
Arizona Highway 264 & Post Office Loop Rd
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Monday, January 30, 2012, Washington, D.C.
South Interior Building Auditorium
1951 Constitution Avenue, NW
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Secretary Salazar has directed the Directors of OSM and BLM and other Interior officials to report by February 15, 2012 on the consultations with the bureaus’ employees, Congressional committees, and interested parties, such as tribes, state regulatory officials, industry, and representatives of communities affected by coal mining. For stakeholders who are unable to attend the meetings in person, Interior has set up a website to accept comments from the public. For more information or to submit comments, visit http://www.doi.gov/bureaus/blm-osm/consolidation.cfm.
For instant updates on OSM, follow OSM on Twitter at www.twitter.com/OSMRE or visit the OSM home page at www.osmre.gov. To see more on BLM, visit www.blm.gov.
The BLM manages more land - over 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.