Project abstract REG grant: program: regulatory program (title v) award purpose: the surface mining control and reclamation act of 1977 (smcra), p.l 95-87, as amended, created the office of surface…

The Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement awarded the Railroad Commission of Texas $6.208 million on December 1, 2025, under the Regulation of Surface Coal Mining and Surface Effects of Underground Coal Mining program (CFDA 15.250) to administer and enforce Texas's approved regulatory program for surface coal mining operations under Title V of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

The grant funds administration and enforcement activities directly identified in Texas's approved regulatory program, including support costs for equipment and support services, and costs to develop amendments to the approved program. All activities must comply with 2 CFR 200. Oversight documents, annual evaluation reports, and program deliverables are available on the OSMRE website. Performance occurs in Texas with a period of performance from December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2026. The grant is annually renewable, and the Railroad Commission of Texas administers the award directly.

Activities

This grant funds the administration and enforcement of the approved regulatory program of texas as described in 30 CFR, subchapter t - programs for the conduct of surface mining operations within each state/tribe. Activities funded by this grant must comply with 2 CFR 200 and include all costs necessary to administer and enforce the approved program within the state that meet one of the following standards: costs must be used for activities directly identified in the approved program. Support costs must be used for the activities identified in the approved program, including such activities as equipment and support services. Costs to develop an amendment to the approved program. Expected deliverables or outcomes: documents related to the oversight of the state program, including deliverables, expected outcomes, and past annual evaluation reports for the state can be found on the osmre website https://WWW.odocs.osmre.GOV. Costs must be used for activities directly identified in the approved program. Support costs must be used for the activities identified in the approved program, including such activities as equipment and support services. Costs must be used to develop an amendment to the approved program.

Intended beneficiaries

Title v of smcra authorizes US to fund state, tribal and federal programs to control the environmental impacts of surface coal mining. IT authorizes states and tribes to develop and assume regulatory primacy, act as the regulatory authority, and operate their coal regulatory program. Osmre regulations at 30 CFR chapter VII implement smcra. Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award): n/a