To protect society and the environment from the adverse
effects of surface coal mining operations consistent with assuring the coal
supply essential to the Nation's energy requirements.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Grants for permanent program development are available
to fund staff and related costs in connection with preparing State legislative
proposals; preparing State regulations; preparing permanent program
applications to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM);
and for other related purposes. Administration and enforcement grants are
awarded to assist States that have received approval of permanent regulatory
programs. Small Operator Assistance Program (SOAP) Operational grants are
awarded to States or eligible individuals for contracting with qualified
laboratories to provide hydrologic and geologic data on behalf of eligible
small coal operators. Funded cooperative agreements provide for State
regulation of coal mining activities on Federal lands. Technical assistance is
available on any aspect of regulating surface impacts of coal mining.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: State
governor and small coal mine operators (SOAP grants only).
Beneficiary Eligibility:
State agencies responsible for regulation, reclamation and enforcement of
provisions protecting the environment from negative effects of coal mining
operations. Coal mining operators with annual production of less than 300,000
tons total at all mining locations may apply to State or Federal regulatory
authorities for assistance in meeting certain technical permit application
requirements.
Credentials/Documentation:
The Governor of a State designates an agency to act as recipient of the grant
or funded cooperative agreement.
Pre-application Coordination:
No pre-application is required. This program is eligible for coverage under
E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An
applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point
of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State
requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected
the program for review.
Application Procedure: The
standard application forms furnished by the Federal agency and required by 43
CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments," must be used
for this program. State Regulatory grant applicants are required to submit
applications to their appropriate Regional/OSM Field Office. Small operators
are required to submit assistance applications to the applicable State agency
or to OSM for Federal program States. Both State and small operator
applications must meet specific criteria described in the Federal Register, 30
CFR Part 725, 735 and 795. Copies of the regulations and application forms are
available from the appropriate OSM Regional/Field Office.
Award Procedure: Review by
appropriate regional/field staff and approval by the OSM Regional/Field Office
is required.
Deadlines: None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
60 days.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: Annual
applications required for grants.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
Permanent program development grants and administration and enforcement grants
are limited to 80 percent of costs in the first year, 60 percent in the
second, and 50 percent thereafter. Operational grants for the SOAP and
cooperative agreements are funded at 100 percent of authorized costs.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:
All administration and enforcement grants are for a one year period and are
annually renewable. SOAP operational grants have a 3-year performance period
and are annually renewable.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Semiannual reports as
specified by the agency are required.
Audits: In accordance with
the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997),
"Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations,"
nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in
Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for
that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in
Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year,
except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records: Records will be
maintained in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C,
"Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative
Agreements to State and Local Governments."
Obligations: Administration
and Enforcement grants: FY 01 $55,574,465; FY 02 est $56,575,000; and FY 03
est $57,575,000. Small Operator Assistance operational grants: FY 01
$1,500,000; FY 02 est $1,500,000; and FY 03 est $1,500,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $2,500 to $500,000; Average: $125,000.
Twenty-four coal producing States have approved programs
and are receiving administration and enforcement grants.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Federal Register, Volume 42, No. 62706, Tuesday,
December 13, 1977 and Volume 47, No. 169, Tuesday, August 31, 1982, Volume 48,
No. 12, Tuesday, January 18, 1983; and informal agency guidelines titled
"Federal Assistance Manual."
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: See
Catalog Appendix IV.
Headquarters Office: Office
of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Department of the Interior,
1951 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20240. Contact: Chief, Division of
Regulatory Support. Telephone: (202) 208-2651. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address: http://www.osmre.gov
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Governor-designated State agencies in coal producing
States receive annual grants to assist in administering and enforcing the
States' approved regulatory programs as provided by the Surface Mining Control
and Reclamation Act of 1977.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Designated agencies that choose to comply with the
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Provisions, Parts 725, 735, and 795
(Federal Register, Vol. 423, No. 239, Tuesday, December 13, 1977, Vol. 47, No.
169, August 31, 1982 and Vol. 48, No. 12, January 18, 1983), are eligible for
awards. Criteria for amounts awarded are the State's need relative to other
eligible States.
