DIVISION OF MINERAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 2045 Morse Road, Building H-3, Columbus, Ohio 43229 614-265-6633 H-2 Fax 614-265-7999; H-3 Fax 614-265-7998

The division implements laws governing active mining practices and procedures of Ohio's coal and industrial minerals industries as well as oversees land reclamation requirements to assure operators restore mine lands and waters to productive uses. Under the mine safety program, it enforces laws establishing mine safety standards and administers testing, certification and training of certain public and private sector employees. The division administers federal and state funds for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands.

The division also regulates oil and gas drilling and production operations in Ohio, brine disposal, solution mining operations, and underground injection operations. Staff inspects the drilling, restoration, and plugging of all oil and gas wells in the state, as well as issues permits for all oil and gas, injection and solution mining wells.

Abandoned Mined Lands
Contact Terry VanOfferen, 614-265-1094
Federal funding for public health, safety and associated environmental problems related to underground and surface mining occurring prior to May 1977.

Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative (ACSI)
Contact Mitch Farley, 614-265-1076
Elimination of acid drainage from abandoned coal mines. Program is a cooperative initiative to facilitate and coordinate citizen groups, university researchers, the coal industry, corporations, the environmental community, local, state and federal agencies.

Bioremediation
Contact Rick Simmers, 330-339-2207
Alternative, cost efficient, natural waste treatment practice; ongoing research with the oil and gas industry. Microorganisms, such as bacteria naturally present in soil, feed on crude oil and other solid wastes associated with oil and gas well drilling (i.e., cuttings or muds saturated with brine), breaking it into harmless components such as water and carbon dioxide. Traditionally, these solid wastes have been hauled to landfills for disposal or encapsulated in plastic liners and buried on location.

Emergency
Contact John Husted, 614-265-7072
Reclamation of abandoned mined lands (AML) when situations exist that present a sudden danger.

Emergency Oil & Gas Well Locator
Contact Mike McCormac, 614-265-6898.
Emergency response web site containing oil and gas well locations, contacts, and facility information.

Ground Water Investigation
Contact Regional Field Office
Investigation of ground water contamination or water well dewatering problems when oil and gas or mining operations are the suspected cause.

Mine Safety
Contact Jerry Stewart, 614-265-6910.
Mine safety skills and procedures testing and certification programs for Ohio miners. Providing safety training to miners and operators to promote mine safety practices.

Abandoned Mined Lands
Contact John Husted, 614-265-7072
Addressing the hazards of constructing residential housing above abandoned underground mines in a 37 county area.

Orphan Well Plugging
Contact Mike McCormac, 614-265-6898
This program funds the plugging of wells in which no responsible owner exists. The orphan wells are plugged via a formal bidding process, landowner grants or emergency plugging projects.

Reforestation
Contact John Sprouse, 740-439-9079
Establish trees on acid spoils of unreclaimed or marginally reclaimed land.

Remining
Contact Terry VanOfferen, 614-265-1094
Expanding opportunities for active mine operators to reclaim abandoned mines through remining and to abate acid mine drainage. In partnership with Office of Surface Mining, U.S. EPA and State Remining Team.

Underground Injection Control
Contact Tom Tomastik, 614-265-1032.
Protection of ground water resources by regulating the disposal of brine and waste products from oil and gas drilling and production activities.

Use of Coal Combustion By-Products
Contact Mike Dillman, 614-265-6633
Beneficial use of CCB (coal combustion by-products). Material used for reclamation of active and abandoned mine lands such as discrete structural fill, mine sealing, capping, and alkaline addition.

Witness of Oil and Gas Well Plugging Activities
Contact the Mineral Resource inspector listed on the plugging permit or a division regional field office.