Although more than a year has passed since the negotiations began, the US Office of Surface Mining and National Mining Association are continuing to work toward a settlement related to disputed issues in OSM's 2000 ownership and control rules. However, only a small handful of issues have been resolved. The rules were part of an effort to clarify and redefine ownership and control rules in the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (CD 12/ 25/00), and strengthen the Applicant/ Violator System (AVS). AVS is a nationwide computerized system used by regulators to match new permit applicants to outstanding violations. NMA disagreed with portions of the rules and in early 2001 filed a lawsuit.
展开▼
