Revegetation - OSM Technology Transfer - Office of Surface Mining
Revegetation - OSM Technology Transfer - Office of Surface Mining
Revegetation - OSM Technology Transfer - Office of Surface Mining
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2000 Billings Land Reclamation Symposium<br />
RECLAMATION INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR<br />
THE SURFACE MINING INDUSTRY<br />
Thomas G. Parker<br />
ABSTRACT<br />
Coal mine operators in Montana and Wyoming and regulatory agencies have expressed<br />
interest in developing the conceptual framework for a Reclamation Information<br />
Management System (RIMS). The system would provide a means for standardized<br />
handling <strong>of</strong> information relating to reclamation activities on surface mines that will<br />
ultimately lead to full bond release. The initial emphasis would be on the later phases <strong>of</strong><br />
bond release that involve restoring native plant communities. Bitterroot Restoration, Inc.,<br />
working with surface mine operators and regulatory agencies, is developing this<br />
conceptual framework. RIMS will be a phased process. Phase I is the concept<br />
development phase. Phase I will include technical concept development, i.e. database<br />
structure, reporting formats, core functionality, selection <strong>of</strong> appropriate internetcompatible<br />
tools, and discussion <strong>of</strong> data sources and data integrity/security. Phase I will<br />
also include needs identification, which will involve communication with surface mine<br />
operators and regulators, summary <strong>of</strong> current information flow vs. desired information<br />
flow patterns, and discussion <strong>of</strong> priorities for Phase II pilot implementation. During<br />
Phase II, we would implement a pilot RIMS involving two or more surface mine<br />
operators and regulatory agencies. Phase III would be an expanded implementation.<br />
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Bitterroot Restoration, Inc., 445 Quast Lane, Corvallis, Montana 59828