Abandoned Mine Land Program

Emergency Program

An AML emergency is a sudden danger or impairment that presents a high probability of substantial physical harm to the health, safety, or general welfare of people before the danger can be abated under normal program operation procedures. The most common AML emergencies in Oklahoma are subsidence events where the roof of an abandoned underground coal mine collapses, leaving a depression or an open hole to the surface.

On February 17, 1998, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission became the state agency responsible for the AML Emergency Program in Oklahoma. After an emergency complaint is received, AML Program staff make a site investigation. If conditions warrant, appropriate emergency assistance organizations and local authorities are notified of the conditions to ensure that immediate steps are taken to protect the public until abatement can be initiated. Once protective steps have been taken, AML Program staff submit a Complaint Investigation Report, based on criteria established during the site investigation, to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) Tulsa Field Office. The OSM Tulsa Field Office makes a declaration of either emergency or non-emergency. An emergency is declared by the signing of a Finding of Fact/Funding authorization.

Once an emergency has been declared, the AML Program staff identify the scope of work and a cost estimate; prepare the solicitation package and contact potential contractors; coordinate a prebid meeting at the site; award the contract; monitor the construction; perform a final inspection upon construction completion; and submit a final inspection report to the OSM Tulsa Field Office.

The funds for emergency abatement come from the OSM emergency account. A one-year grant is issued by OSM each year. Any unused funds are returned to the OSM emergency account at the end of the year. No state AML grant monies are used for these emergencies.