Revised Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C. 20240-0036http://www.blm.govMarch 13, 2012In Reply Refer To:3400 (320) PEMS TRANSMISSION 03/16/2012Information Bulletin No. 2012-048To:                   All State Directors                        Attn:  Solid Minerals Program LeadsFrom:               Assistant Director, Minerals and Realty ManagementSubject:           Revised Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health AdministrationThe Bureau of Land Management (BLM) signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently.  The MSHA is the Federal agency responsible for enforcing the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended (30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.).  The purpose of this MOU continues to be to foster and encourage more frequent coordination and communication between the BLM and MSHA on geological conditions or mining practices that may impact the health and safety of miners at underground coal mines on Federal or Indian lands.The BLM and MSHA revised the MOU based upon recommendations from the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Labor.  The following changes are included in the new MOU:

• The BLM Deputy State Directors and MSHA District Managers will meet in person at least annually to discuss areas or issues of common concern.
• The BLM inspectors will immediately report health and safety issues they recognize to MSHA.
• The MOU recognizes that the BLM does not train BLM inspectors in the nuances of MSHA mine health and safety regulations.

Please review this MOU closely.  Note that the MOU is applicable to underground coal mines only.  However, the MOU recognizes that there may be reasons to develop other agreements at the local level. Please forward this to your offices with the reminder that the BLM has immediate information sharing tasks, as does MSHA, under the MOU. For more information on MSHA, including a list of contacts, visit their website at http://www.msha.gov/.  If you have any questions concerning the content of this IB, please contact me at 202-208-4201, or your staff may contact the Solid Minerals Division (WO-320) Division Chief Mitch Leverette, 202-912-7113, email address Mitchell_Leverette@blm.gov; or John Lewis, 202-912-7117, email address John_A_Lewis@blm.gov.Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:Michael Nedd                                                             Robert M. WilliamsAssistant Director                                                       Division of IRM Governance,WO-560Minerals and Realty Management1 Attachment      1-Memorandum of Understanding (6 pp)