Office-Surface Mining

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior is responsible for fish, wildlife and plant conservation. Its mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The agency helps protect a healthy environment for people, fish and wildlife and helps Americans conserve and enjoy the outdoors and living treasures. Its major responsibilities are for migratory birds, endangered species, certain marine mammals and freshwater and anadromous fish. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency charged with protecting and enhancing the populations and habitat of more than 800 species of birds that spend all or part of their lives in the United States. The agency is located in Washington, D.C.

The Office of Surface Mining, in cooperation with primacy states and tribes, has the responsibility for ensuring that programs are administered for the regulation of surface coal mining operations and surface effects of underground coal mining and for the reclamation of abandoned coal mined lands. The office issues coalmine permits, conducts the inspections and handles the enforcement responsibilities. It also provides technical or non-technical and financial assistance to states and Indian tribes for the administration and enforcement of regulatory programs. The Office of Surface Mining develops and implements surface coal mining control and reclamation programs in jurisdictions not covered by approved state programs. It also reviews petitions to determine if federal lands are unsuitable for mining and conducts inspections in response to citizen complaints. Office of Surface Mining is located in Washington, D.C.