Issue 6
January 2011

KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT FOR
NATURAL RESOURCES

Photo: Charlie Hoskins, Inspector
Middlesboro DMRE Regional Office

MISSION STATEMENT
The department, through its divisions and partnerships, provides technical assistance, education and funding to help landowners,
institutions, industries, and communities in conserving and sustaining Kentucky's natural resources. In addition, the department
inspects timber harvests and mining operations to ensure the protection of our citizens, our environment, and our workers.

 Commissioner’s Corner
By Carl E. Campbell, Commissioner
Department for Natural Resources
Dear colleagues,
As we begin a new year, I want to recap a few of the remarkable accomplishments that DNR employees made
in 2010. Your exceptional teamwork and cooperation resulted in the following notable achievements:
Significant improvement in reducing the number of delinquent coal mine permit applications from a high
of 179 in November 2009 to 39 on Jan.12, 2011.
The Division of Mine Permits, with funding from both OSM and EPA, developed a new Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessment (CHIA) protocol to assess the impact of coal mining on watersheds.
The Division of Forestry (KDF) submitted to the U.S. Forest Service the 2010 Kentucky Statewide Assessment of Forest Resources and Strategy: A Comprehensive Analysis and Plan for Action, which
provides the foundation for executing Kentucky‟s forest program for the next five years.
The KDF obtained two new land acquisitions, increasing the number of state-managed forests to 9
incorporating 41,044 acres.
The Division of Conservation announced the addition of 19,889.7 acres (571 individual contracts) into
the Green River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), which is designed to protect this
ecological sensitive watershed. These latest acquisitions bring the cumulative total to 101,303 acres.
The Heritage Land Conservation Fund was responsible for conserving 2,721 acres of unique lands in 12
different counties. This brings their total acres protected to 38,642.
The Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL) successfully completed a mandate by the Mine Safety
and Health Administration (MSHA) to conduct multiple annual visits to all underground mines for which
OMSL teams provide mine rescue team coverage.
A technical study group comprised of regulators, industry, and environmental groups completed the development of the Fill Placement Optimization Process (FPOP), a design protocol created to minimize the
impact on streams from mining operations. A significant step forward in stream protection, the process
has been recognized and used as a national model.
The Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement implemented a new policy that resulted in a major
decrease in the number of blasting flyrock events, thus significantly improving the safety of surface mining operations.
The Division of Abandoned Mine Lands reclaimed 507 acres of mined lands where insufficient reclamation or abandonment by the mining company resulted in significant environmental degradation. Installation of 64.7 miles of waterline was completed providing potable water for 741 households in six counties.
The Division of Oil and Gas submitted to the EPA‟s Region 4 a request to assume primacy of the regulation of the Underground Injection Control Program for Class II wells.
Your work resulted in the department ending the year with a significant legacy of achievements and service to
our constituents. I would like to personally thank you for your efforts and look forward to another remarkable
year ahead.

 Secretary Peters Visits Division of Permits
Dr. Peters expresses appreciation to the employees of the division for a job well done
On Nov. 29, 2010, Secretary Len Peters met with Division of Mine Permits (DMP) personnel to congratulate them on their efforts in streamlining the permit review process. Retirements and personnel reductions
in 2008 had taken a huge toll on the division in terms of expertise, resulting in a significant backlog of permitting actions. Thanks to new leadership, coupled with determined and focused staff, measures were instituted that resulted in getting permits moving so that they could be addressed within their regulatory time
frames.
Concurrently, new permit fees were authorized providing funding for the hiring of additional staff. Training sessions were ramped up and reviewers volunteered to come in on Saturdays to expedite the review and
clear the backlog. Excellent progress indeed! The number of delinquent permits went from 179 on Nov. 1,
2009 to 39 on Jan. 12, 2011.

Secretary Peters, pictured with
a visual aid behind him, praises
the employees for their
achievements. The graph,
pictured behind him, illustrates
the dramatic drop in delinquent
permits (blue line) being processed by the DMP.

The group of nearly 100
listens to Peters as he
congratulates them on the
accomplishment and its
impact.

Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review

3

 $aving Seed
by Lynn True
The Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) has
operated and maintained two seedling nurseries – John P. Rhody in western Kentucky and
Morgan County Nursery in eastern Kentucky –
for over 50 years. In this time, landowners,
resource agencies and communities have come
to rely on the high-quality seedlings for a variety of reforestation projects.
Although the nurseries are a critical part of
KDF‟s mission, funding to operate and maintain these facilities has become a challenge. In
fact, in the last few years, reductions have
made significant changes for nursery operations – including the way the nurseries get
seed. In the past, KDF purchased most of the
needed seed from contractors. In recent years,
however, collecting and saving seed has become an additional responsibility for the division. Nowadays, it is not uncommon for KDF
personnel to take to the woods for a few days
of seed collecting.

Ben Ueltschi, KDF forester, collects bur oak seed
at the Lexington Cemetery.

Each fall, KDF personnel – ranging from office
support to service foresters – commit a day or
two to collecting seed. Seed collecting, though
time-consuming, is a testament of the division‟s
staff to save money and maintain the nurseries.
Both nurseries are capable of growing 3 to 4
million seedlings annually and this year, the division was slated to collect nearly 25,000
pounds of seed from various species of oak,
hickory, walnut, ash, flowering dogwood and
redbud.
Issue 6 January 2011

Although seed collecting is finished by late autumn, nursery operations continue throughout the year. Nursery
workers spend a considerable amount of time drying,
processing and storing the seed to prepare them for germination. As part of the process, nursery workers also
amend and improve soils, irrigate beds and fertilize the
developing plants throughout the year. Finally, after a
year of growth, bare-root seedlings are lifted, packaged
and distributed to the public.
Although seedling sales begin in the early fall and continue through late spring, public inquiries about seedlings
are often year-round. For more information about the
state nurseries or to obtain a seedling order form, visit the
KDF Web site at http://forestry.ky.gov/ or contact the
main office at 1-800-866-0555.

KDF employees,
Pam Snyder and
Alice Mandt, sort
through a pile of
seed for optimal
selection.

KDF employees,
Strider Deaver and
Alice Mandt bundle
bur oak seeds for
delivery to the Morgan
County Nursery.

Natural Resource Review

4

 Coordinated Effort Between Agencies—Response to Accidents
Divisions/ MSHA come together to look after safety of employees after drilling accident
By Evan Satterwhite
On Jan.12, miners working
underground at a Hopkins
County mine detected methane gas in an abandoned area
of the mine and were immediately evacuated. The coal
company brought in a rig to
drill boreholes so that sampling rods could be inserted
to monitor the mine‟s atmosphere. Before the drill could
penetrate the coal seam, it hit
a pocket of gas at 400 feet,
igniting the gas and sending
a fireball into the atmosphere. Two driller operators
were burned but were able to
get away from the fire.
Manitou Fire/ Hopkins
County fire and emergency
responders as well as mine
safety officials were called to the scene. The two employees were taken to the hospital and treated for first
-degree and second-degree burns.
Immediately following the accident, company officials, MSHA, and experienced officials from the Office
of Mine Safety and Licensing and the Division of Oil and Gas responded. Flames continued to shoot 15
feet in the air into the following day before the gas burned down to a manageable level. Shorts Oil Field
Well Service, an independent contractor whose expertise is extinguishing fires of this type, was called in
by the company. On Jan. 14, the fire was out and the bore hole had been plugged using 110 sacks of cement to permanently seal the well. Mining operations ceased during the plugging of the hole through the
following weekend until the seals cured.
The experience of everyone involved proved helpful in ensuring the well-being of the miners in the area as
well as those operating the drill rig.

Other Kentucky Oil and Gas Facts
Current number of abandoned wells: 13,044
Current number of active tank batteries: 7,840
2010 bond forfeitures: 23 forfeitures worth $36,500

Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review

5

 Jeff Laird, GIS Specialist
Division of Mine Permits
Born to a Navy family at Bethesda Naval Hospital in
Maryland, Jeff Laird had crossed the Atlantic and back
by plane, crossed the Pacific and back by ship, lived in
Europe, Asia, and both coasts of North America by the
time he was 12. He has participated in expeditions to
the magnetic North Pole and the Mojave Desert,
driven cattle for a week in Montana and reached the
summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Jeff has 26 years of experience in the design, implementation, customization, operation and administration of geographic information systems (GIS)
and automated mapping.
He moved to Frankfort
in 1991 to work for a
GIS consulting firm and
worked on over 30 GIS
projects in Europe, Asia,
the Middle East, four
Canadian provinces and
most of the states in the
United States.
In 1998, he joined Bluegrass GIS as senior vice
president and worked on
projects in the United
States,
Armenia, Oman, and Romania.
With his Army contract ending after eight years and
not wanting to move, Jeff was looking for a group engaged in environmental-related activities that could
use his skill set. Fortunately, he found the GIS Section of the Division of Mine Permits. He was immediately attached to the section specializing in cumulative
hydrologic impact assessment (CHIA). Utilizing his
leadership, the GIS section made remarkable progress
this past year by characterizing over 345 HUC12 watersheds that includes over 1,500 maps.

“Currently, we are working on projects helping industry submit GIS-ready data to enhance the permit review process, and another that establishes trend station
monitoring sites on selected waterways that will yield
sample results data that can be modeled using threedimensional GIS tools.”
He enthusiastically continues, “One of the most fortunate things about working in GIS is the fact that upper
management here “gets it” about GIS technology and
the limitless advantages it affords. For a GIS guy, the
hat-trick of being able to
work in an environment
that includes professional colleagues, challenging projects, and
GIS enlightened management is a rare find
indeed. I am grateful to
have found a home at
DNR and plan on finishing my career here at
Hudson Hollow.”
Jeff received his Bachelor of Arts in Geography
and the University Certificate in Cartography
at George Mason University in 1984. Other certifications include: ASPRS certified mapping scientist
GIS\LIS,GISCI certified GIS professional, HAZWOPER certified national spill school at Corpus
Christie, certified SCUBA diver, certified sky diver
and Black Belt Tae Kwon Do (ITA).
His interests are just as varied. He enjoys discussing
philosophy and is an amateur historian with an emphasis on military and British history. Other passions include acoustic guitar, reading, travelling, visitingthe
beach and working out at the downtown YMCA in
Frankfort.

“I have found the work to be very challenging and enjoy supporting environmental scientists again. I especially enjoy working with the other GIS professionals
in the section,” said Jeff.

Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review 6

 Mine Permits Employee Recognized for Exemplary Accomplishments
Davie Ransdell completes Certified Public Manager Program/receives national award for project
Davie Ransdell started her career with the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1987 as a reclamation inspector
in the Pikeville Regional Office and stayed in that position until 1990. In 2006, she was selected for a supervisory role in the Division of Mine Permits where she has excelled in supervising and leading her team
to many accomplishments. In 2007, Davie was accepted into the Certified Public Manager Program
(CPM). Started in 1995 by then Gov. Paul Patton, the program was designed to develop highly trained,
experienced, and qualified candidates to meet the future challenging management needs of state government. The certification is recognized by the American Association of Certified Public Managers.
Davie‟s CPM group, Cohort 3, completed the required training and education that led to their eventual
graduation in December 2009. Completing the curriculum required by
the Governmental Services Center
(GSC) would normally be equivalent
to a Kentucky State University Business Management Degree. For state
employees who participate, the
course work is recognized as two
years of additional administrative
experience, an advantage when applying for many state government
positions.
During the final stages of the CPM
program, the students who work in
small groups are assigned projects,
called capstones. Davie‟s project
was entitled Oversight of Online/
Distance Education Providers in the
Davie Ransdell (left) receives the award presented by Tony Smith, awards chair
Commonwealth of Kentucky. The
of the Kentucky Society Certified Public Managers.
completed project was submitted to
the Proprietary Education Board and
has been very helpful in evaluating future needs and comparing Kentucky‟s program to other states. The
project was innovative, demonstrated a cost savings, and was an improvement to the program. Davie was
honored with the George Askew Award, given to those who have been acknowledged for demonstrating
exemplary work in the completion of their projects while pursuing their certification. This award is named
for George C Askew, who was the first person to receive CPM certification in 1976. The medallion states,
“For the utilization of management practices exemplifying the philosophy of the American Academy of
Certified Public Managers in the completion of an exceptional curriculum project.”
Today, Davie continues in her role as a supervisor in the Division of Mine Permits. She has been married
to her husband Tom (another state employee) for 22 years and has a son Thomas, 12 years old. Congratulations Davie on your award!

Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review

7

 Kentucky Awarded $3 Million in the Mississippi River Basin
Healthy Watersheds Initiative
Three projects will be active in restoring water quality and habitat in the Mississippi River Basin
The Kentucky Conservation Partnership will receive $3 million over a five-year period to complete three
projects to improve the health of the Mississippi River Basin. The projects will take place in three major
watersheds of the state: Licking River, Lower Green, and the Bayou de Chien/Mayfield Creek.
The Kentucky Division of Conservation worked with several partners to secure $500,000 for each project
during the first year. Partner agencies include the Nature Conservancy, Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, Kentucky
Cattleman‟s Association, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, USDA Resource Conservation and
Development, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky Division of Water, University of Kentucky
Cooperative Extension and the U. S. Geological Survey.
In a recent press release, Kentucky‟s Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Len Peters said the focus
of the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watershed Initiative is to improve water quality and the overall
health of the Mississippi River Basin. “This program will help agriculture producers in the watersheds
implement conservation and management practices that avoid, control, and trap nutrient runoff.
“The initiative is performance oriented and measureable results are required to participate, including the
reduction of environmental impacts through more efficient use of nutrients in crop and livestock production,” said Peters.
An additional $500,000 will be made available for each project in the next four years to agriculture
producers in the chosen watersheds through the Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share Program. The
additional money will be used for extended projects not included in the Environmental Quality Incentives
Program that focus on precision nutrient management and farming incentives.
For more information contact Steve Coleman, director of the Kentucky Division of Conservation at 502573-3080 or e-mail him at steve.coleman@ky.gov. More information about the initiative can be found at
www.ky.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held
Dec.10, 2010 to mark the beginning of
the $450,000 second phase rehabilitation project on the North Fork Little
River MPS #5 also known as Lake
Blythe. This structure is one of four
watershed structures built under the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act to provide flood protection
as well as fish and wildlife benefits. Lake Blythe is located approximately 4 miles north of Hopkinsville
and controls runoff from over 17,000
acres protecting approximately 600
acres of land.

Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review

8

 Vernal Ponds Spring to Life on State Forestlands
By Lynn True
In addition to assisting landowners, advising communities, fighting wildfires, inspecting timber harvests and growing tree seedlings, the Division of
Forestry (KDF) provides a service that largely remains one of our best kept secrets – managing
nearly 42,000 acres of forestland. Currently, the
division manages nine state-owned forests for the
purpose of promoting good forestry practices.
These forestlands are managed to ensure biological
diversity and sustainable use; therefore, a recent
wetland initiative in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the Kentucky Department for
Natural Resources (DNR) was an easy fit.
DNR‟s initiative to develop small wetlands, also
known as vernal ponds, was especially suited for
state forestlands that do not have naturally wet areas. In fact, vernal ponds were already constructed
at Tygart‟s State Forest in northeastern Kentucky
several years ago. The ponds at Tygart‟s were created to help diversify forest wildlife and to make
up for a lack of surface water due to karst topography.

Vernal ponds typically form in early spring (vernal)
from snowmelt and rainwater. Most pools are dry for
at least part of the year, but some remain partially
filled with water over the course of a year or more.
All vernal ponds, however, dry up periodically and
therefore, they are usually devoid of fish.
The lack of fish and higher order predators make
them especially suitable for terrestrial amphibians
like spotted salamanders and spring peepers. Crustaceans such as fairy shrimp, aquatic insects such as
dragonflies, and mollusks such as snails also rely on
these pools. The pools serve as a safe breeding
ground for these critters to lay eggs, develop from
larvae, seek shelter and find food.

As a result of DNR‟s new initiative, a vernal pond
was also recently constructed at Knobs State Forest in Bullitt County. This site was chosen because of the area‟s flashy hydrology – where water
levels rise during heavy rainfalls, but run off just
as quickly. KDF foresters agreed that the addition
of a small pond in this area would serve well as a
habitat for terrestrial amphibians and other forest Salamander eggs found in vernal ponds have a greater
wildlife.
chance of survival due to lack of fish and higher order
predators found in deeper, permanent ponds.

Although the importance of vernal ponds is often
overlooked, a closer look reveals just how significant this habitat is to a forest community. Approximately one-half of all frogs and one-third of
all salamander species rely on these temporary
wetlands for development, as noted in A Guide to
Creating Vernal Ponds by Tom Biebighauser, a
wildlife biologist with the U.S. Forest Service
Daniel Boone National Forest. Biebighauser also
discusses how to build and maintain vernal ponds
in his publication.
The effects of vernal ponds are complex; however,
the science of these small, ephemeral wetlands is
Vernal ponds located in woodlands provide critical habitat
really somewhat simple.
for terrestrial amphibians.
Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review 9

 Metal Thieves Hit AML Waterline Projects
Division of Abandoned Mine Lands deals with theft of critical materials on job sites

The Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) fund several waterline projects each year in areas that
have groundwater degradation due to mining that occurred prior to May1982. For many years residents of
these impacted areas have had to use expensive filtration systems to make the groundwater usable. When
clean, affordable, and reliable water is delivered into someone's home, the benefits to the residents are
enormous and well received.
The recent spike in the price of scrap metal has caused rural waterlines and their associated infrastructure
to be attractive targets for thieves. Many of AML‟s water district partners are finding anything made of
metal disappears, in particular water meter and valve lids. These lids are very important to the proper function and long-term life of these features. They prevent freezing and the subsequent bursting of the waterlines in cold weather. Recently, these brazen crooks went so far as to actually dig out two air release valves
on a rural AML waterline to get the brass for scrap.

The metal lids on rural meters are often targeted.

Valve lids, such as this, disappear.

Here are some facts about the Kentucky Human Resources Information System (KHRIS)
Coming soon for all state employees!
KHRIS will streamline data, improve security, and provide employees access to their personal information.
Choose paper or electronic pay statements.
Access leave balances and overtime request forms electronically.
Update address, tax and bank account information in a secure online environment.
View name, birthday, and other personal information online.
View time and pay statements, leave balances, and benefit elections online.
KHRIS will provide a single source for human resource data, eliminating more than 25 systems.

Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review 10

 Mine Rescue Competition 2010
Madisonville was overall winner in OMSL Mine Rescue Finals
Each year OMSL‟s 12 mine rescue
teams participate in an interagency
mine rescue contest. Conducted under OMSL mine rescue team and
command center training manual
rules, the contests are conducted at
one of OMSL‟s three 23-acre mine
rescue fields. The contest rules are
designed to simulate, as close as
possible, actual mine rescue scenarios. OMSL mine rescue teams are
committed to achieving a heightened
state of readiness should Kentucky
miners need help.
The OMSL Mine Rescue Finals
were held on Oct. 27, 2010 at the
Madisonville District mine rescue
field. The finale was comprised of
the Region 1 winner, Barbourville
competing against the Region 2 win- Pictured left to right: Secretary Len Peters, Madisonville district supervisor
ner, which was Madisonville.
Ronnie Drake, OMSL Executive Director Johnny Greene and Deputy CommisAlthough both teams were highly
sioner Larry Arnett. Ronnie Drake receiving award from Secretary Peters.
effective, it was the Madisonville
team that won the competition. Once again, each team that competed did an exceptional job and demonstrated the skill sets needed in case of an actual mine rescue emergency.

Barbourville team advancing with smoke blinders on face
mask.

Madisonville team spreading out and advancing in mine.

Congratulations to all teams and thanks for your readiness!
Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review

11

 USEPA/Division of Oil and Gas Plugging Program
Kentucky partners with federal agency in the plugging of abandoned oil and gas wells
By Marvin Combs
The Kentucky Division of Oil and Gas
(DOG) and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Region 4 have
entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to plug abandoned
Class II injection wells in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. These wells are
used for enhanced oil and gas recovery,
brine disposal, or hydrocarbon storage
and remain under federal jurisdiction.
Federal regulations require Class II
well operators to maintain financial
responsibility to plug their wells upon
completion of injection operations.
When a well is abandoned by an operator, those funds can be recovered by
USEPA and used for plugging and
Class A cement displaced in casing of Permit N17650 (final stage of plugging),
abandonment remediation.
permanently plugging the well.
Under the terms of the MOU, the division inspected all Class II abandoned
wells and prioritized each well for
plugging based on potential adverse
impact to the environment and public
safety. Twenty-nine of the abandoned
Class II wells, originally operated as
injection for enhanced oil recovery,
were selected and have been incorporated into the division‟s “State-Bid”
Plugging Program. They are being
plugged in conjunction with the plugging of abandoned conventional oil and
gas wells.
Following plugging and site remediation, the division provides documentation to USEPA which includes the
plugging affidavit, plugging invoice,
bid-contractor award letter, and the
tabulated costs of all submitted bids.

The plugging and abandonment operation of permit N17650 performed by
Kirby Drilling.

Upon receipt of plugging documentation from the Division of Oil and Gas, USEPA will direct the bank or
financial institution that holds financial responsibility to reimburse DOG for plugging and remediation
operations. In addition to recouping the cost of plugging the well, the division will receive a payment of 5
percent of the invoice for administering and supervising the plugging operation.

Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review 12

 AmeriCorps Volunteers in Trainee Program Offer Unique Help to DNR
By Linda Potter
The AmeriCorps Regulatory
Trainee Program, funded by the
Office of Surface Mining
(OSM) and administered by the
Southwest Conservation Corps,
was designed in 2010 to give
recent college graduates experience working for state agencies
on tasks related to surface coal
mining. The program offers
benefits to both students and the
agencies that employ them. The
“volunteers” hope to obtain
permanent employment with a
state agency, which is rewarded
with a pool of prospective
employees with relevant experience. There are 20 trainees
participating in this program
across the country in 10 states.
Aaron Melton and Alan Lafferty working on a GIS/ topographic map at
AmeriCorps and OSM held
the Division of Mine Permits office in Frankfort.
training sessions in various
locations around the country so that students could learn about the volunteer program and the different facets of coal mining including the implementation of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
(SMCRA). Kentucky was very fortunate to land two trainees in the Division of Mine Permits: Alan
Lafferty and Aaron Melton. Lafferty trained in West Virginia and Melton trained in Colorado. Sessions
with Al Whitehouse, chief of OSM‟s Division of Reclamation Support proved informative and impressive
while Craig Clark, deputy ethics counselor for OSM presented a rundown on ethical issues faced by OSM
and the federal government, with an emphasis on the mining industry.
Work for these trainees at the Division of Mine Permits consists of digitizing mine features on quadrangles
ranging from the early 1960s to 2000. These features are being digitized and sent to the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) at the University of Kentucky in order to create a statewide map showing surface
mining features of each quadrangle throughout the state. They are also geo-referencing mine reclamation
plan maps for mine permit reviewers.
Lafferty is a native of Shelby County and graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of
Sience in geography in May 2010. When asked about his experience, he enthusiastically offered, “I am
excited to be able to stay in my home state and consider it a privilege to serve the people of this great state.
This experience is a geographer‟s dream.”
A Grant County native, Melton graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in civil engineering. He passionately describes his job here. “I take scanned images from old mylars of existing, permitted mine locations and features and then digitize them in ArcGIS. The files that I am creating will be
available online (Kentucky Geological Survey‟s site) for everyone to view. My efforts provide a more informative geographical orientation of what has been previously mined.” He smiled and continued, “If we
know what has been mined, we will know what needs to be reclaimed. If we know what needs to be reclaimed, we will keep Kentucky beautiful.”

Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review 13

 Extension of AML Emergency Agreement
Linda Potter
Thirty years ago, coal mining practices
in Kentucky, West Virginia and other
coal region states produced several
environmental problems: landslides,
stream pollution, and dangerous
highwalls. Since 1977, the Kentucky
Division of Abandoned Mine Lands
Program (KDAML) has mitigated
many of these serious problems by
reclaiming abandoned mine sites.
Funding for the reclamation of these
areas comes from fees paid by coal
operators based on their tonnage
production. Occasionally, emergency
situations associated with coal mining
arise that require immediate attention
and remediation. Since the AML
program was formed, the federal
Office of Surface Mining (OSM) has Emergencies such as this one requires AML investigation/ authorization for the
repairs to be covered under the new procedures.
operated the emergency AML
reclamation program in Kentucky.
However, the President Obama‟s 2011 submitted budget proposes to eliminate funding for this vital program and the issue has become a hot topic. Governor Beshear and two other coal state governors weighed
in opposing the transfer of this responsibility to the states. Since Congress has not yet passed a 2011
budget, OSM„s funding for emergency work is in limbo. Beginning in October 2010, the cabinet and OSM
entered into a cooperative agreement to continue the emergency program until Congress acts on a budget.
The agreement required OSM to continue administering emergency projects while the KDAML pays the
cost of constructing the projects. This agreement was originally set to expire on Nov. 30, 2010, but that
deadline was subsequently extended to March 7, 2011. That is the date that the current continuing resolution approved by Congress is set to expire.
If Congress does not fund the OSM emergency program, the Commonwealth will be left with little choice
but to assume this major responsibility. The resulting shift of OSM‟s emergency responsibilities to
Kentucky will be difficult to absorb both logistically and financially for the KDAML. While the Department for Natural Resources hopes Congress will pass the 2011 federal budget and maintain the funding to
OSM for administering the program, DNR has taken steps to make the transition less painful if the shift
occurs.
KDAML has made progress in the following areas.
Established a toll-free number for public use to report emergencies.
Established an in-house, 24/7 on-call rotation schedule.
Participated in subsidence and landslide training.
Assumed responsibility to conduct initial emergency complaint investigations.
Developed statements of work for emergency contract inspections.
Consulted the Finance and Administration Cabinet to streamline emergency contracting procedures.
The division continues to make contingency plans regarding staffing and infrastructure in the event that the
2011 federal budget requires KDAML to assume the emergency program.
Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review 14

 Mine Safety 2010– a closer look
Accomplishments hope to bring increased safety to miners in 2011
Number of Mines
At the beginning of 2010, the number of coal mines licensed by the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing
(OMSL) had decreased substantially to 361, due in part to a sluggish economy and the lessening demand
for coal. Of these, 172 were underground operations and 189 were surface mining operations. As the year
progressed, the number continued to rise and by the end of 2010, the number of licensed mines had
reached 467. Of these, 196 were underground operations and 271 were surface mining operations.
Training
During 2010, the OMSL Division of Safety Analysis, Training and Certification served the Kentucky mining industry by training and/or testing 28,907 Kentucky miners at six district offices. Also provided was a
required six-hour annual retraining for 5,004 certified mine foremen. Of these, 2,268 were surface foremen
and 2,736 were underground foremen.
Safety analysts observed 10,734 miners performing their duties both inside and outside operating mines.
Unsafe acts totaling 2,081 were observed and discussed with the appropriate miner or supervisor since they
may have caused a mining injury/accident if not corrected.
Drug Free Work Place program
Last year, 1,329 miners were reported by the coal industry for violating their drug-free status. Consequently, 229 were placed on probation by the Mine Safety Review Commission and allowed to return to
work in the industry. An additional 371 miners returned to work as a result of completing their probationary period. The goal of the Drug-Free Work Place is not to permanently ban miners from the mining industry, but to ensure these miners receive the help they need and remain drug free when they come back to
the industry.
Mine Inspection
The Division of Safety Inspection and Licensing completed all underground and surface inspections
mandated by the federal Miner Act. A total of 4,139 mine safety inspections including analysts‟ observations and safety meetings were conducted.
Rescue Teams
OMSL‟s 12 mine rescue teams will have completed all of its MSHA training, contest, and mine visit mandates by June 17, 2011 and will continue to provide signature mine rescue coverage to the Kentucky mining industry.

Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review 15

 Aerial Detection Effective Tool for Division of Forestry –
Quick Response Quells Wildfire in Hart County
By Lynn True

In Kentucky, the potential for wildfire typically
Gray, familiar with the area was able to direct KDF
peaks in late October, and this year extreme dry
fighters and local volunteer fire departments into the
weather and unusually warm temperatures made for area quickly. He knew a wildfire in that area had the
exceptionally dangerous fire conditions. Such was potential to destroy hundreds of acres of forest if not
the case on Oct.
contained quickly.
24, 2010 in the
area of Knoxes
Within minutes of
Creek in Hart
detecting the fire,
County. In adfirefighters were on
dition to the dry
the scene to fight
environment,
the blaze. KDF‟s
wind gusts in
Hart County forest
excess of 20
ranger technician,
mph had the
Lonnie Gibson,
potential to turn
began cutting a fire
any spark into a
line with the
raging wildfire.
division‟s bulldozer
Fortunately, the
while local fire deKentucky Divipartments assisted
sion of Forwith water. KDF‟s
estry‟s (KDF)
quick response and
Central District
familiarity with the
was conducting
terrain – along with
aerial detection
assistance from
that afternoon
three volunteer fire
KDF Photo Credit – Robert Bean
as part of its
departments includAerial photo of Knoxes Creek Fire in Hart County
efforts to find
ing Linwood,
and control
Hardyville and
wildfires. While surveying the 15-county area,
Magnolia – ultimately prevented the fire from burnRobert Bean, chief forester for the division, spotted ing additional acreage. Although the fire had the
a small plume of smoke. Bean quickly radioed the potential to spread through hundreds of acres of forlocation to Central District dispatch noting that a
estland and destroy many years of hard work, there
power line had blown over in a field causing dry
were only six acres burned.
brush and grass to ignite.
Wildland firefighters understand the necessity of
Once Steve Gray, KDF district forester, received
responding to incidents as quickly and safely as posthe information from Bean, he immediately recogsible. Aerial detection is one of the best tools for
nized the area as being adjacent to woodland beKDF firefighters in finding and evaluating wildfires
longing to Dr. James Middleton. Both Gray and
as they occur. As evidenced by the Knoxes Creek
Bean have worked with Dr. Middleton for many
Fire, rapid detection and response can mean all the
years – marking timber, conducting timber stand
difference in terms of firefighter safety and protectimprovement and assisting with other forest stewing Kentucky‟s forests.
ardship practices. In fact, Dr. Middleton‟s longtime association with district staff dates back to the
late 80‟s when he was named Tree Farmer of the
Year for his accomplishments in forestry.

Issue 6 January 2011

Natural Resource Review 16

 Contact Page
Department for Natural Resources…………................................502-564-6940
http://dnr.ky.gov

Contact our Divisions:
Conservation………………………………………..……………..502-573-3080
http://conservation.ky.gov

Forestry……………………………………………...…………….502-564-4496
http://forestry.ky.gov

Oil and Gas ……………..……………………….………………..502-573-0147
http://oilandgas.ky.gov

Office of Mine Safety and Licensing……………………………..502-573-0140
http://omsl.ky.gov

Abandoned Mine Lands………………………....………………..502-564-2141
http://aml.ky.gov

Mine Permits………………………………………..……………..502-564-2320
http://minepermits.ky.gov

Mine Reclamation and Enforcement………………………...…..502-564-2340
http://dmre.ky.gov

Technical and Administrative Support……………......…….…..502-564-6940
http://dnr.ky.gov/techadminsupport

Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund…………………..502-573-3080
http://heritageland.ky.gov

Contact our newsletter staff with comments or to be added to our distribution list. To
UNSUBSCRIBE CLICK HERE:
Evan Satterwhite…………………………………….……………502-564-6940
Evan.Satterwhite@ky.gov
Linda Potter………………………………………….……………502-564-6940
Linda.Potter@ky.gov
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Resource Review, please let us know. You may contact the newsletter staff at the e-mail above
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Photo by
J. Hamon