US Department of the Interior

Visit your local Post Office™ at 1400 Independence Ave SW to find everything you need to send mail and ship packages. Explore our other products and services like money orders, Post Office™ boxes, passports, gift cards, and more

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.