If you encounter a problem related to a mining operation near you, there are several ways to request that the problem be addressed.
Potential problems may include:
- contaminated water on personal property or in public waterways
- erosion or sedimentation on personal property on into public waterways
- contamination of private wells or other drinking water sources
- blasting concerns
*It is best to submit your complaints and requests for inspection in writing, so that there is documentation of your submission. It is useful to followup on written submissions with a phone call. If you are reporting an emergency, please call the appropriate offices immediately.
EMERGENCIES
For general environmental emergencies:
Hotline: 800-928-2380
For stream water emergencies:
Division of Water 24-hour hotline: 1-800-928-2380
For emergencies related to abandoned mine land:
Division of Abandoned Mine Lands emergency number: (877) 495-9552
WATER AND OTHER EMERGENCIES RELATED TO CURRENT MINES
Main DMRE Office
If you encounter a problem with a mining operation, contact:
Frankfort Central Office
Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement
Kentucky Department of Natural Resources
#2 Hudson Hollow
Frankfort, KY 40601
Steve Hohmann, Commissioner
Billy Ratliff, Director
Phone: (502) 564-2340
Fax: (502) 564-5848
Kentucky Regional Offices
You may also be able to get a response from the regional office in your area:
Regional DMRE office for Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Menifee, Morgan, Powell, Rowan, and Wolfe Counties:
Prestonsburg Regional Office
Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement
Kentucky Department of Natural Resources
3140 South Lake Drive, Suite
Prestonsburg, KY 41653-1410
Greg Weddington, Manager
Phone: (606) 889-1746
Fax: (606) 889-1747
Regional DMRE office for Bell, Clinton, Harlan, Knox, McCreary, Wayne, and Whitley Counties:
Middlesboro Regional Office
Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement
Kentucky Department of Natural Resources
1804 East Cumberland Avenue
Middlesboro, KY 40965-1229
Lester Scott Cox, Manager
Phone: (606) 248-6166
Fax: (606) 248-3837
Regional DMRE office for Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Jackson, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Madison, Owsley, Perry, Pulaski, and Rockcastle Counties:
London Regional Office
Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement
Kentucky Department of Natural Resources
State Office Building, Third Floor
85 State Police Road
London, KY 40741-9011
Steve Vance, Manager
Phone: (606) 330-2090
Fax: (606) 330-2113
Regional DMRE office for Letcher and Pike Counties:
Pikeville Regional Office
Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement
Kentucky Department of Natural Resources
121 Mays Branch Road
Pikeville, KY 41501-9331
Charles Holbrook, Manager
Phone: (606) 433-7726
Fax: (606) 433-7515
Federal Office of Surfacing Mining and Reclamation
It is useful to also submit complaints regarding a surface mine to the Federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM or OSMRE), especially if the state does not adequately address the problem.
Main Office
Lexington Field Office
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
2675 Regency Road
Lexington, KY 40503
Joseph Blackburn, Field Office Director
(859) 260-3902
Regional Office
You can also contact the London OSM office
London Area Office
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
421 West Highway 80
London, Kentucky 40741
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1048
London, KY 40743
(606) 878-6440
Email: ghall@osmre.gov
Or the Madisonville OSM office
Madisonville Area Office
100 YMCA Drive
Madisonville, KY, 42431
(270) 825-4500
Email: mcox@osmre.gov
Problem with abandoned mine land (AML):
Division of Abandoned Mine Lands
Kentucky Department of Natural Resources
2521 Lawrenceburg Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Mark Meade, Director
(502) 564-2141