This week the federal agency said the consolidation was expected to generate savings and efficiencies for the respective functions while allowing it to continue operating the BLM as an independent bureau within DOI.
With some amendments to the initial proposal first unveiled last October, the plan outlines that the OSM director will continue reporting to the secretary through the assistant secretary for Land and Minerals Management and the OSM’s coal-related regulatory functions will be separate from the BLM’s supervision of coal leasing.
“After extensive consultation with employees and stakeholders and a comprehensive review by our senior leadership, it is clear that there are significant efficiencies to be gained by consolidating duplicative administrative functions in these bureaus,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said.
“Implementing these actions will free up savings and management time that can be used to strengthen OSM’s capacity to oversee surface coal mining operations, while maintaining the agency’s independence.
“We remain committed to making government work better to further strengthen our regulatory, reclamation and stewardship responsibilities and we will do this by building on the strengths of both OSM and BLM to get the most out of our limited resources.”
OSM director Joe Pizarchik said that it was not necessary or cost-effective for the OSM to replicate administrative services of other larger and more efficient bureaus.
“These recommendations spell good government and they will ensure OSM’s independence under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.”
Under the plan, the BLM will support the OSM’s national vehicle fleet and property management, equal employment opportunity compliance, ethics training and compliance, safety and occupational health functions, non-technical employee training and space allocation management.
To ensure the OSM’s independence and to make sure its director can discharge responsibilities effectively under the act, some functions including communications, budget and emergency management offices and operations will remain separate.
The OSM will also continue to manage the Abandoned Mine Land fund and verify distribution and expenditure under the act.
AML decisions will also remain with the agency.
While coal-related regulatory oversight from the OSM will not intermingle with the BLM’s coal-leasing responsibilities, Salazar requested a longer term evaluation of the potential for transferring some of the BLM’s non-coal mining law enforcement responsibilities to the OSM.
