The Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement (DMRE) is responsible for inspecting all surface and underground coal mining permits in the state to assure compliance with the 1977 Federal Surface Mining Control Act (SMCRA).
The DMRE is also responsible for regulating and enforcing the surface mining reclamation laws for non-coal mining sites in the state, including limestone, sand, gravel, shale and the surface effects of dredging river sand and gravel.
The DMRE is one of three agencies within the Department for Natural Resources (DNR) responsible for administering Kentucky's mining, reclamation, and abandoned mine land laws. The DMRE works closely with the Division of Mine Permits and the Division of Abandoned Mine Lands to ensure that all established standards of operation are addressed and that the public and the environment are protected.
Notices to Industry
Pursuant to RAM 167, the Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement is requiring all quarterly surface and groundwater monitoring submissions to be completed on the SME-90E Form. Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement Regional Offices will no longer accept any quarterly submittal other than the SME-90 E Form. Please see RAM 167 for further details.
All SME-90 applications must be submitted on Version 8.0. As a result of the security implementations in Version 8.0, submittals on previous versions of the SME-90 can no longer be accepted. Please upload Version 8.0 prior to submitting quarterly surface and groundwater monitoring reports to regional offices.
Please note that the SME-90 is only for active surface and ground water monitoring required by 405 KAR 16:110 / 18:110. Discharge Monitoring Reports required by KPDES permits should be submitted as directed by the Division of Water. For questions concerning surface and ground water monitoring submission requirements, please contact
Linda Fischer in the Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement. For help with technical aspects of the new SME-90 form, please contact
Jim Neal in the Division of Information Services. For questions regarding permitted water monitoring points as listed in the permit application or Surface Mining Information System, please contact Thomas Barbour in the Division of Mine Permits.