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Lexington Field Office (LFO)

The Lexington Field Office (LFO) is responsible for the oversight of the Kentucky coal regulatory and abandoned mine land (AML) programs to ensure that surface coal mining operations which includes the surface effects of underground coal mining operations and the reclamation of abandoned mine lands (mining operations conducted prior to August 3, 1977) are conducted in accordance with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). The Kentucky Department for Natural Resources is the regulatory authority for the surface coal mining regulator program and for the AML reclamation program.

LFO is responsible for gathering data about coal mining and reclamation operations in the State, assisting Kentucky in improving inspection and enforcement activities, and recommending actions needed to address program deficiencies. The accomplishment of these tasks assists Kentucky in the implementation of programs and also ensures proper reclamation of land.

Additional field office responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and analyzing proposed state program amendments, monitoring and evaluating Kentucky’s regulatory programs, cooperative agreements, and AML reclamation programs.
• Assisting in resolving identified program issues.
• Developing an annual performance agreement with Kentucky that defines the oversight and assistance activities for the current evaluation year.
• Soliciting stakeholder comments concerning oversight.
• Conducting performance reviews in accordance with the negotiated performance agreement. Inspecting mines in accordance with existing OSM policy, citizen concerns or concerns from routine program and document review.
• Providing technical assistance or access to technical assistance on issues related to mine permitting, compliance monitoring, mitigation, AML issues, or reclamation decisions.
• Reviewing grant documents and assuring programmatic compliance with all grant conditions.
• Assisting Kentucky in aggressively pursuing reclamation of the most serious and high priority non-emergency AML sites.
• Participating in technical forums, meetings, and conferences to maintain technical expertise and stay abreast of developments in mining and reclamation technology.

The Lexington Field Office includes area offices in London, Madisonville, and Pikeville.

If you have an abandoned mine land emergency, please contact us at our toll free number:
1 (800) 936-5845

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