The surface mining control and reclamation act of 1977 (SMCRA), P.L 95-87, as amended, created the office of surface mining reclamation and enforcement (OSMRE) in the department of the interior

The Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement awarded the Maryland Department of the Environment $2,273,808 on January 1, 2026, under the Regulation of Surface Coal Mining and Surface Effects of Underground Coal Mining program (CFDA 15.250) to fund administration and enforcement of Maryland's approved surface coal mining regulatory program through December 31, 2026.

The grant funds all costs necessary to administer and enforce the state's approved regulatory program, including activities directly identified in the program, support costs for equipment and support services, and costs to develop amendments to the approved program. Activities must comply with 2 CFR 200. Expected deliverables and outcomes are documented on the OSMRE website at https://www.odocs.osmre.gov.

Work is performed in Maryland. The award is an annually renewable project grant with a one-year period of performance. OSMRE regulations at 30 CFR Chapter VII implement the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, which authorizes the Office of Surface Mining to fund state and tribal programs to control the environmental impacts of surface coal mining and to assist states and tribes with active coal mining in administering approved regulatory programs.

Activities

This grant funds the administration and enforcement of the approved regulatory program of maryland 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