COAL MINING DIVISION
John E. Carey, Chief

160 South Water St.
Frostburg, MD 21532 (301) 689-6104

The Coal Mining Division began as the Bureau of
Mines in 1876 when the Governor first appointed a
mine inspector for Allegany and Garrett counties. By
1916, the inspector was appointed by the State Board
of Labor and Statistics with the Governor's approval.
The Bureau of Mines was organized in 1922 as a unit
of the Department of Labor and Statistics (Chapter
307, Acts of 1922). In 1941, the Bureau was trans-
ferred to the Department of Geology, Mines, and
Water Resources. In 1964, the Bureau was made part
of the Maryland Geological Survey (Chapter 73, Act
of 1964). The Bureau was placed under the Energy
and Coastal Zone Administration in 1976, and in 1979
under the Energy Administration of the Department
of Natural Resources (Chapter 320, Acts of 1976). The
Bureau, in 1987, became part of the Water Resources
Administration. In 1995, the Bureau was transferred
to the Department of the Environment, reorganized
as the Coal Mining Division of the Mining Program in
the Water Management Administration.
The Coal Mining Division is responsible for envi-
ronmental control of active coal mines and restoration
of abandoned coal mines. For proposed coal and
noncoal mines, the Division evaluates mining and
reclamation plans. Environmental controls are estab-
lished and reclamation plans for the land are approved
before mining can begin. In addition, legislation now
makes it possible to restore abandoned mines. These
for decades have posed serious environmental prob-
lems. Reclamation fees and federal grants pay for this
restoration (Code Environment Article, secs. 15-201
through 15-203).
Under the Division are two sections: Permit-
ting, and Land and Water Restoration.

MINERALS, OIL & GAS DIVISION
C. Edmon Larrimore, Chief
(410) 974-3874

The Minerals, Oil and Gas Division formed
within the Department of Natural Resources as the
Surface Mining Division under the Water and Wet-
lands Program of the Water Resources Administra-
tion. In 1992, it was reorganized under its present
name and transferred to the Bureau of Mines. In
1995, under the Mining Program, the Division
joined the Department of the Environment.

NONPOINT SOURCE PERMITS PROGRAM
L. Kenneth Pensyl III, Administrator
(410) 631-3543

The Nonpoint Source Permits Program began
in 1988 as the Policy and Evaluation Program. It
received its present name in 1992 when the Sedi-

ment and Stormwater Administration merged with
the Water Management Administration.
Local programs for sediment control and storm-
water management are overseen by the Program.
To municipalities with populations over 100,000,
it issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permits to discharge stormwater.
The Program delegates to local jurisdictions the
authority to enforce erosion and sediment controls.
At the same time, it reviews sediment control and
stormwater management plans for State and federal
construction projects.

To control nonpoint sources of pollution, the
Program also develops policy, regulations, and
training programs. Nonpoint sources are those
without a specific point of discharge. They include
pollutants washed off streets or farmlands.

Under the Program are three divisions: Dam
Safety, Program Review, and Sediment and Storm-
water Plan Review

DAM SAFETY DIVISION
Bradley K. Iarossi, Chief
(410) 631-3538

The Dam Safety Division traces its origins to the
Water Resources Commission which in 1933 began
regulating the construction and repair of dams. This
division formerly had been in the Department of
Natural Resources under the Water and Wetlands
Program of the Water Resources Administration. In
1995, the Division transferred to the Department of
the Environment under the Nonpoint Source Permits
Program of the Water Management Administration.

To ensure the safety of dams, the Division inspects
dams, including those under construction. It issues
permits to build or modify dams, conducts hydrologic
and hydraulic analyses for new dam permit applica-
tions, and prepares downstream warning plans and
"danger-reach" delineations for high hazard dams.

PUBLIC DRINKING WATER PROGRAM
Saeid Kasraei, Administrator
(410) 631-3702

Created in 1988 as the Water Supply Program,
the Public Drinking Water Program received its
present name on July 1, 1993. The Program sets
and enforces drinking water standards by inspecting
water treatment plants and distribution systems. It
surveys drinking water systems to determine levels
of nitrates, lead, volatile synthetic or organic chemi-
cals, and other contaminants.

Under the Program are two divisions: Source
Protection and Compliance, and Surveillance and
Technical Assistance.