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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 />

_______________<br />

Bitterroot Restoration, Inc., 445 Quast Lane, Corvallis, Montana 59828

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