Edgar Imhoff interview, 1980 - PART ONE

On August 3, 1997, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act was signed into law to regulate coal mines in the United States. This signing was the accumulation of years of struggle by people sensitive to this issue. Twice before similar legislation was subject to veto. This law created the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. From the beginning OSM has been highly controversial. Currently there are constitional lawsuits and additional Congressional legislation threaten its very existence. Recently Edgar A. Imhoff, Regional Director for Region III, in Indianapolis, talked with a film crew from Ball State University about the agency: its problems and promises. (This interview occurred in 1980, likely in June. The November 1980 election of President Reagan resulted in drastic changes to OSM and to its focus.)