Outcome-Based Oversight

The federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is charged by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act with the responsibility for reviewing approved state programs for the regulation of active coal mines and the reclamation of abandoned mines.  Historically, such oversight focused on processes used by western states, not environmental outcomes.  As a result of a multi-year effort by the Reclamation Committee, the Office of Surface Mining has revamped its oversight program to focus on environmental outcomes achieved by state programs.  OSM has been given the “Hammer Award” this change.

Focusing oversight on environmental outcomes remains a priority of the Reclamation Committee because there is constant pressure to fall back into reviews of state processes rather than environmental outcomes.  Process reviews are easier to accomplish and do not require the sustained, collaborative federal-state effort that characterizes successful reviews of environmental performance.