TIPS Success Stories

	PA DEP Employees Recognized as TIPS "Outstanding Contributors" for 2010 [PDF]
	Indiana AML Utilizes ARCGIS to Improve Communication Arc Pad is used in the field to record locations and relevant information concerning AML tree planting sites and warranty items for contractors. The data can then be shared various ways to improve communication from the field to the office. For example a tree planting database has been established that is accessible to anyone who needs it that includes data for individual sites such as; planting dates, weed control, total trees, and total trees by species.
	OSM and EPCAMR work together during the Askam Borehole Collapse! In 2008, a borehole in the Anthracite Coal Region of Pennsylvania collapsed in on itself and backed up a mine pool in the nearby area. This water discharged into a completely different location which then discharged into the basements of several residents in the middle of winter. No one could explain why it was popping up in that location or knew how to remediate the problem. The Earth Conservancy and Luzerne County quickly reacted to divert the water into a nearby dry stream bed. The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR) was immediately involved because of some of the preliminary work they had been doing with mine pools at the time. EPCAMR knew to contact the Office of Surface Mining for help. OSM's Pittsburgh Field Office was called in to assess the situation and quickly got to work figuring out how to permanently divert the water from the resident's basement's.
	Borehole Camera Evaluation by The North Dakota Public Service Commission Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Division The North Dakota Public Service Commission Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Division conducted surveys of abandoned underground mines using borehole cameras in August and September 2008. These surveys were conducted to remotely view underground mined workings and to evaluate two different borehole camera systems, one of which was borrowed from TIPS. The surveys were conducted at sites near Williston and Garrison, North Dakota, on August 28 (Williston), September 10(Garrison) and September 24 (Garrison).
	OSM Western Region GIS The Western Region Geographic Information System (WGIS) is a geospatial database developed to aid OSM-Western Region SMCRA personnel in the regulatory process. Inspectors collect geographic data in the field including information on drainage, depressions, topsoil measurements, vegetation observations, wildlife sightings, photographs, and many other features deemed necessary. Regulatory personnel use this geographic data to make critical decisions concerning reclamation.
	Borehole Camera Aides Colorado Subsidence Investigation. The Country Club Circle (CCC) Colorado Springs neighborhood is underlain by the abandoned Rapson Coal mine, which was worked from 1900 to 1915 prior to residential development. Through the years, numerous subsidence events have repeatedly occurred, causing serious safety hazards and damaging structures, streets, and utilities. Considerable subsidence mitigation work has occurred during the past several years as sinkholes have propagated to the surface.
	OSM and Virginia Share Technology on Mobile Applications. Over the past year, the State of Virginia’s Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME) has been working to finish development of a new field application which allows their staff the ability to view permit information outside the office. This application is called the MMEGIS and programmers used ESRI ArcObjects for development.
	TIPS Featured in 2008 Publication “Designing the Reclaimed Landscape.” In the “Designing the Reclaimed Landscape”, editor Alan Berger brings together representatives of the mining industry, academia, and the Federal coal-mine regulatory community, along with among others, poets, philosophers, historians, and landscape architects, the purpose of this convergence being to investigate in what ways the sciences of “reclamation, design, and the environment” might mutually benefit one another.
	State Collaboration, a Win for Everyone! In March of 2008, the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) presented their AML-Brasscap application and the National Geospatial conference in Atlanta.
	Virtual Classroom is a Real-Time Hit! In an effort to save time, resources, and money, thirteen Virginia state employees recently attended a TIPS sponsored ESRI virtual course "Working with CAD Data in ArcGIS Desktop".
	Navajo AML Employee Excels through TIPS / NTTP Navajo AML utilizes both TIPS and NTTP trainings for our workforce development. The trainings have benefited our staff in technical development, and resulted in 5 OSM reclamation awards.

	Successful reclamation of the Log Creek Church Site Successful reclamation of the Log Creek Church Site 900 in Pike County of southern Indiana. Carlson’s Natural Regrade was used to reclaim highwall.

	Coal Mining Geospatial Data for the Nation Spatial coal mining data is available to the regulatory agencies and to the mining industry, but is not easily accessible to other government agencies or the public.


	TIPS Saves the Day TIPS Saves the day providing GPS-aided survey technology that enables the Kansas AML to access a reclamation site with minimal environmental disturbance.