• Summary of current service performance
  DMME measures its service performance through performance measures tied to its strategic goals and objectives.
  
  DMME’s first goal is to provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral resource extraction.
  
  The agency’s first objective under this goal is to eliminate accidents, injuries, and fatalities at mineral extraction sites.
  • DMME measures the five-year rolling incident rate of serious personal injuries and fatalities at mineral extraction sites to assess its current service performance. The incident rate for calendar year 2006 was 0.25 incidents per 200,000 work hours. This compares to a five-year rolling average of 0.31. The incident rate has shown a decreasing trend since 1997.
  • DMME also is measuring the percentage of safety violations issued to mineral extraction operators that have been successfully eliminated by the violations’ abatement due dates. DMME has five years of baseline data showing that mineral extraction operators successfully abated 98.2% of safety violations by their due dates. Mineral extraction operators successfully abated 99.5% of safety violations by their due date during FY 2007.
  
  A second objective under this goal is to eliminate adverse environmental conditions and public safety hazards resulting from mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
  • DMME measures the five-year rolling average of mineral extraction sites with no adverse off-site environmental damage or public safety hazards. The FY 2007 rate was 99.7%. This compares to the five-year rolling average of 99.5%.
  • DMME also is measuring the percentage of environmental protection violations issued to mineral extraction operators that have been successfully eliminated by the violations’ abatement due dates. The last five years five years of baseline data show that mineral extraction operators successfully mitigated 82.0% of environmental violations by their due dates. Mineral extraction operators successfully mitigated 79.5% of environmental violations by their due dates during FY 2007.
  
  A third objective under this goal is to improve the health, safety, and environmental knowledge and skills of mineral and fossil fuel workers.
  • DMME measures the percentage of miners who rate DMME mine safety training as very helpful or very effective in helping them work more safely. DMME has three years of baseline data that show 82.7% of miners rated the training as very helpful or very effective. The rate for FY 2007 was 81.1%.
  
  DMME’s second goal is to encourage economic development through its customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
  
  DMME’s first objective under this goal is to improve its customers’ ability to establish and maintain efficient, viable operations.
  • DMME measures the percentage of timely permit decisions made on initial permit applications for mineral mines, coal mines, and gas and oil operations. In FY 2007, DMME made 96.8% of its permit decisions within established deadlines. DMME’s five-year average is 97.8% of permit decisions made within the deadlines.
  
  DMME’s second objective under its second goal is to improve its customers’ capabilities in the development and wise use of rock, mineral, land, water, and energy resources.
  • DMME measures the availability of geologic and mineral resource information through the Virginia Geospatial Data Index. This is a measure of the availability of geologic and mineral resource information from DMME. It is based on the level of detail and degree of completion of geologic datasets, adjusted by a relevance weight related to the population growth in the county covered by the data. The index has grown by an average of 8.5% per year over the last five fiscal years, with 4.8% growth in FY 2007.
  • DMME also measures the percentage of forms submitted electronically by its customers. DMME’s customers electronically submitted 59.8% of total forms in FY 2007. This compares to an average of 54.7% over the five previous fiscal years.
  
  DMME's third objective under its second goal is to reduce future state government energy costs.
  • DMME measures the amount of saved state government energy costs achieved through energy conservation and procurement strategies. Cost savings of $7.7 million were achieved in FY 2007, compared to $5 million in FY 2006.
  
  DMME’s third goal is to provide for the effective performance of DMME personnel. DMME strives to do “the right things well”.
  
  Internal DMME performance objectives include enabling all employees to meet or exceed their annual employee objectives and for the agency to remain in compliance with external administrative mandates, achieve a rating of meets or exceeds expectations from 90 percent of customers surveyed regarding the delivery of DMME services, provide for the most efficient and effective application of DMME's resources, and enable DMME's employees to effectively utilize available technology.
  • DMME measures the performance of its administrative functions through a wide variety of performance measures. These include measures such as the percentage of employees at contributor or higher level in performance evaluations (100% in FY 2007); prompt pay compliance (98.8% of dollars paid within 30 days in FY 2007; target is at least 95%); payroll accuracy (100% accuracy on the first entry for FY 2007; target is at least 98%); proportion of vehicle service hours on direct repair services (74.7% of time for FY 2007; target is at least 70%); proportion of purchases made within 24 hours of requisition (98.3% in FY 2007; target is at least 95%); proportion of DMME staff rating administrative services as meeting or exceeding expectations (96% in FY 2007; target is at least 90%); and average hours of training per DMME employee (41.0 hours/employee for FY 2007; annual target is 40 hours/employee).
• Summary of current productivity
  DMME productivity has increased markedly over time. DMME has provided more services to a greater number of customers over the years. DMME has increased services in areas that include special mine safety services to small coal mines, such as training, mining plan technical assistance, and on-site job safety analysis; and registering and providing services to over 1,500 independent contractors on mineral extraction sites. DMME also established a separate gas and oil regulatory program, with no new funding or employees, out of what was a small part of its mine safety division. Today, the gas and oil program has 6,651 sites under permit, including wells and pipelins; and Virginia’s natural gas industry produces as much natural gas as is used by all residences in the state.
  
  The agency has provided the increased services with fewer employees and resources than in past years, reflecting increased productivity.
  • DMME currently has 240 FTE (full-time equivalent) positions. DMME’s FTE number has ranged from a high of 298 to FY 2005’s low of 235 FTEs.
  • DMME’s FY 2008 budget is approximately $30.4 million, only 12% more in nominal dollars than its FY 1986 budget, the agency’s first full fiscal year of operation. Adjusted for inflation, this 1986 budget is equivalent to $47.5 million today. In FY 2007 DMME provided an expanded level of customer service with only 647% of the FY 1986 inflation-adjusted budget.

• Summary of Major Initiatives and Related Progress
  DMME has initiatives underway to increase the safety and business capability of its customers.
  
  • DMME is scanning and digitally placing maps of underground coal mines into a comprehensive mapping and data system. To date, DMME has scanned 40,000 underground mine maps into its records. DMME estimates there are at least an additional 5,000 maps available to be scanned. DMME is then geo-referencing these mines in a geographic information system and recording data on each mine into a searchable database. This will allow underground coal mine operators, gas well operators, consultants, economic development officials, the public, and DMME staff to find the locations of abandoned coal mines near proposed operations. This will enable coal mines to be operated with reduced risks such as mining into adjacent active or abandoned workings or gas wells. Mining into abandoned workings exposes miners to dangers from water, carbon monoxide, or methane inundation. Mining into a gas well exposes miners to increased risk of explosion. Economic development officials can find new sources of water for projects or avoid areas with mine subsidence risk. The mine mapping system also is being used to identify new blocks of coal available for mining.
  
  • Virginia experienced a horrible mining accident in August 2004 that resulted in the death of a three-year boy in his sleep when a rock was dislodged by mining activity located upslope from his home. As a result of the investigation into the accident, Virginia enacted, as emergency legislation, amendments to the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Act and the Virginia Coal Surface Mining and Reclamation Act. These amendments, among other changes, require coal mine operators to submit, for DMME approval, ground control plans that will address control of mining operations located above residences or other occupied buildings. Additionally, civil penalties for incidents resulting in personal injury or fatality to persons are being increased from up to $5,000 per incident to up to $70,000 per incident. DMME also worked with Virginia’s coal mining industry to develop needed amendments to the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Act. These changes also were included in the emergency legislation. DMME is working with Virginia’s coal mining industry to implement these changes.
  
  • There was a jump in coal mining fatalities nationwide in early 2006. Lessons learned from the initial review of the fatalities led to amendments to the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Act to expand the requirements for mine emergency response plans and for availability of self-rescuers in underground coal mines. Additionally, DMME is charged with evaluating the capabilities and availability of underground coal mine wireless communication and tracking systems. DMME may require use of such communication and tracking systems when they are found effective. DMME is working with Virginia's coal mining community to implement these requirements.
  
  • Virginia enacted provisions in 1990 to enable development of coalbed methane resources. Prior to 1990, these natural gas resources were wasted by venting into the atmosphere during mining operations. The coalbed methane resources were undeveloped due to conflicts over ownership of the gas. The measure provided for escrowing funds when the ownership of the coalbed methane was in conflict. This allowed an exponential growth in Virginia’s coalbed methane industry. A 2004 Virginia Supreme Court decision resolved the conflict for some of these conflicting claimants, opening the door for payments out of the escrow account to the rightful owners. DMME and the Virginia Gas and Oil Board are working to facilitate the processing of the escrow payments.
  
  • Sharp increases in energy costs and interest in offshore natural gas development led to passage of significant energy policy legislation in 2006. DMME will be developing a 10-year Virginia Energy Plan and will implement a new biofuels incentive program in response to these activities.
  
  • Executive Order 54 (2003) directed state agencies to reduce energy use by 10% by 2006 compared to 2002. Agencies were directed to use energy savings performance contracting as a primary method to achieve these savings. DMME, working with the Departments of General Services, Treasury, and Planning and Budget, is assisting agencies to implement energy savings performance contracts. DMME estimates that more than $150 million in performance contracts are being developed or are in place. DMME estimates that these energy savings performance contracts should save the Commonwealth nearly $30 million in energy costs per year by FY 2010.
  
  ·DMME is implementing a safety award program in cooperation with Virginia Transportation and Construction Alliance to recognize both company and individual contribution to mineral miner safety in Virginia.
  
  ·DMME is implementing the use of e-forms to provide customers with faster access for submittal of amendments, renewals, annual reporting, and updating of permit and company information.
  
  ·DMME is enhancing electronic business-to-government capability for its mineral mining operators. The e-Forms Center will provide mineral mine operators with the ability to electronically submit permitting applications and annual tonnage reports, manage contractor lists, register for training classes, provide EFT and otherwise conduct their business with DMME online. In addition, DMME is converting all paper mineral mining permitting files to electronic format in an effort to provide a seamless, paperless environment in conjunction with the electronic business-to-government capability provided by the e-Forms Center. This effort will result in an electronic file cabinet for use by the field staff and office staff, as well as our operators. DMME continues to work with mineral mine operators to expand the use of this e-government system through the next fiscal year. DMME is also extending this system developed for the mineral mining program to develop similar e-government systems for its gas a nd oil and coal mine safety programs.
  
  ·DMME is implementing a complaint risk assessment program to take a more proactive position on factors contributing to complaints involving blasting, tracking of mud and debris on roadways, and generation of dust from mineral mine sites.
• Summary of Virginia's Ranking
  DMME has used the United States Senate and Productivity and Quality Award (SPQA) process to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of its services against the SPQA criteria. The SPQA criteria are based on the Malcolm Baldridge Award criteria. The criteria address leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, information and analysis, human resources, process management, and business results. DMME received the Medallion of Quality in 1997 and the Award for Continuing Excellence (ACE Award) in 2002. DMME was the first Virginia state executive agency to receive the Medallion and remains the only state agency or institution to receive the ACE Award.
  
  DMME’s activities are regularly benchmarked against other states’ activities in a number of areas. For example, other states and the federal Office of Surface Mining and Mine Safety and Health Administration have used DMME’s underground mine mapping initiative as a national example of how to make information available about locations of abandoned underground coal mines. Based on DMME’s experience with performance measurement, the Office of Surface Mining has used DMME as a key partner in developing its national performance measurement system. DMME’s coal mining electronic permitting process has been benchmarked by numerous other states.
  
  DMME has received awards in a number of other areas. For example, the DMME Division of Mines has received the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) Annual Training Materials Competition first place and grand prize awards in 2003 and 2004 for its mine emergency and remote control miner training materials. The DMME Division of Mineral Mining’s trucker safety training program, “Drive Home Safely”, received MSHA’s first place award in the 2002 State Metal/Nonmetal division competition. MSHA has also recognized and complimented DMME on its successful safety training and safety awareness program implemented as part of MSHA’s State Grant’s Program.
  
  The DMME Orphaned Land Program has been recognized for its achievements by the US EPA and other state and federal agencies.
• Summary of Customer Trends and Coverage
  Mineral extraction operations
  • The number of permitted coal mining operations and gas and oil sites and coal and gas production historically changes based on the price of energy. Non-fuel mineral production historically changes based on the health of Virginia’s economy. Energy prices are very high and are projected to remain high for at least the next five years. Virginia’s economy has been expanding. These factors have caused an increase in the number of permitted mines and gas and oil sites and an increase in energy and mineral production.
  
  Mineral extraction workers
  • Coal mine employment in Virginia is related to the amount of coal produced in the state and the mechanization of mining. The number of Virginia coal miners peaked in 1949 at 18,341, coincident with the introduction of continuous mining machines. Since that time, coal mine employment peaked in 1977 at 15,742. There were 4,782 coal mine production employees in 2006. The average age of a coal miner in Virginia has risen to 52. A large percentage of working miners will be reaching retirement age in the next five years. Mining companies are already facing difficulties replacing these miners with new employees. This need for new miners is causing an increasing demand for coal miner certification training and other new miner services.
  
  • Mineral mine employment in Virginia fluctuates based on the amount of tonnage produced in Virginia’s mineral mines and changes in miner productivity. The number of mineral miners also is affected by the use of independent contractors on mineral mine sites. Some operators have shifted parts of operations away from their employees to contractor employees. Virginia had 3,836 production workers in 2006. This compares to 4,816 mineral miners working in 1989, 4,104 mineral miners working in 1994, 4,258 mineral miners in 1999, and 3,603 mineral miners in 2004. DMME anticipates the number of mineral miners to remain relatively stable in the coming years.
  
  • As DMME does not have primary jurisdiction for worker safety on gas and oil exploration and production sites, it does not maintain records of the number of persons working on gas and oil exploration and production operations in Virginia. However, as the number of permitted wells, gathering pipelines, and associated facilities increases in Virginia, the number of workers drilling the wells, constructing the pipelines and associated facilities, and maintaining the facilities will continue to increase. Virginia expects this trend to continue over the next three or more years.
  
  Public affected by mineral extraction operations
  • Public located near mineral extraction operations may be affected by activities at those operations. Such affects may include ground vibrations from blasting; degradation of groundwater quantity or quality; uncontrolled release of material such as flyrock or pushed or tracked material from the site; slides; dust from blasting, construction, or travel on soft-surfaced roads; noise or light pollution; or truck traffic. DMME’s regulations control many, but not all, of these impacts. While some impacts, such as light, noise, local truck traffic, and hours of operation may be subject to local government land use controls, DMME receives and must investigate most complaints on all of the mining effects.
  
  • Public located near abandoned mineral extraction sites may be affected by hazards on the abandoned sites, such as open shafts or portals, landslides, ground or surface water pollution discharges, sediment buildup causing flooding, land subsidence, or hazardous gases.
  
  • DMME expects there will be additional people affected by mineral extraction operations in the coming years because surface coal mining operations are locating closer to developed areas as the available remotely located coal reserves suitable for surface mining dwindle. Development is moving into areas containing historic, unreclaimed coal mine lands, increasing the number of people at risk from these abandoned sites. More natural gas wells and pipelines are being constructed near built-up areas, and sprawl has reached areas where mineral mines have traditionally been located.
  
  Affiliated mineral extraction business interests
  • Numerous businesses support mineral extraction operations. These range from engineering firms that assist with permit preparation and facility design, to independent contractors providing non-mining services at mine sites (such as blasting, mobile equipment lubrication and maintenance, logging, overburden removal, plant construction), to independent trucking companies hauling mined material from a mine, to title attorneys, and others.
  
  • DMME expects there will be an increase in the number of affiliated business interests. Mining companies are increasingly outsourcing work on mines. DMME has been given expanded responsibility for regulation of activities of independent contractors on coal and mineral mines. DMME served over 2,500 independent mineral mining contractors in 2007. The department expects the number of independent contractor customers to continue to grow.
  
  General public and businesses
  • DMME provides information on the state’s mineral resources, geology, energy efficiency, and alternative energy development to the general public, educational customers (teachers, faculty, and students), facility managers, economic development officials, real estate developers, and other similar customers.
  
  • With increasing energy prices and growing concerns about global warming, the general public and businesses are becoming more interested in energy conservation, energy efficiency, and alternative energy sources. The release of the Virginia Energy Plan in September 2007 has also generated increased interest in these subjects and will likely expand DMME's customer base.
  
  • DMME also works with vendors to supply goods and services to the department. Most procurement is made through the eVA system. DMME strives to use businesses located in Southwestern Virginia as a way to support the regional economy where most of its operations are located. DMME also strives to procure goods and services through small, women-owned, or minority-owned (SWAM) businesses consistent with its SWAM plan.
  
  • DMME expects the general public and business customer base to increase over the next few years. DMME has expanded the number of businesses it works with as it implements eVA and SWAM purchase requirements. DMME also is expanding the information it provides across the Internet. As information is more readily available in electronic form, additional customers will become aware of its availability, thereby increasing DMME’s customer base.
  
  Other governmental agencies
  • DMME works with numerous other state agencies, as well as federal and local agencies, to meet management and administrative requirements. There has been an increasing mandate to meet centralized management standards in such areas as procurement, lease management, and information technology. Further centralized mandates are being developed for areas such as facility maintenance and general administrative support services.
  
  • DMME expects the number of governmental agency customers to grow in the next few years. These will increase the need for administrative coordination with the agencies.
  ·Consolidation of the mineral mining companies continues to take place mainly in the crushed stone industry resulting in fewer and larger operators dominating the marketplace.
  
  ·Mineral mining companies are experiencing greater difficulty in obtaining zoning and conditional use permits from counties for both new operations and expansion of existing operations.
  
  ·Companies are increasingly using outside contractors to perform many of the tasks previously performed by company employees. Many of these contractor workers are immigrants with limited English language skills, which generates a need for multilingual supervision.

• Summary of Future Direction and Expectations
  With the increasing number of new employees needed in the coal industry to replace retiring workers (average age is over 50) and in the mineral mining industry to account for worker turnover (approximately 1/3 of mineral miners and ½ of supervisors every 5 years), DMME will be asked to provide additional training. This will require DMME to expand partnerships with community colleges, develop standard training curriculum for use by company trainers, and implement other initiatives to meet the demand. Additional challenges in training will be due to the increase in non-English speaking workers entering the mineral mining industry.
  
  Implementation of total maximum daily load (TMDL) water quality limits, regulation of mining activities near and in ephemeral and intermittent streams and wetlands, increased emphasis on protection of endangered and threatened species, and settlement of court cases challenging national regulatory standards will make it more difficult to permit new coal mining operations. Coal mining customers will expect coordination among multiple regulatory agencies, using methods such as a consolidated mining permit application and consolidated agency review to streamline the permitting process. DMME will be expected to take a lead in developing and managing such a consolidated permitting process in the face of increasing federal involvement in all aspects of mining regulation.
  
  State agencies and institutions, as all consumers, are facing higher energy costs. They will increase their demands for DMME's services to help minimize energy expenditures, reserving their funds for direct service delivery. The release of the Virginia Energy Plan in September 2007 has elevated DMME's profile as a provider of information and services in energy efficiency and alternative energy.
  
  Development of the Coalfields Expressway (CFX) will require DMME to coordinate its coal mining regulatory programs with the construction activities to minimize disruption of the highway construction. DMME also will be asked to facilitate surface coal mining operations to provide new, flat sites for economic development along the CFX route.
  
  Increasing development of mineral extraction sites near built-up areas will result in increased conflicts between the mineral extraction and other land uses. This will increase citizen opposition to new mines or gas or oil operations. There may be a growth of NIMBY groups and of environmental activists willing to use civil disobedience to stop development. DMME will be increasingly asked to referee these conflicts through its permitting process and handle increased numbers of formal and informal hearings about permitting activities.
  
  Recent accidents involving the coal mining industry have made the public more aware of the hazards associated with all types of mining. These events have resulted in new legislation at the federal and some state levels to provide greater protection to miners (e.g. MINER Act). These types of initiatives may ultimately affect the mineral mining industry as well.
  
  Greater citizen involvement in the permitting process as well as an increase in citizen complaints regarding mine operations will increase the workload on both permitting staff and mine inspectors/supervisors.
  
  Proposed changes to the 1872 Mining Law in Congress could generate significant impacts on the mineral mining industry, possibly to the same extent as the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act had on the coal industry.
  
  DMME’s new website and the electronic business-to-government system will provide self-service information to the public, increasing public awareness of the mining industry.
• Summary of Potential Impediments to Achievement
  DMME is facing the need to replace a significant proportion of its workforce in the next five years. The average DMME employee is 51.5 years old and has 18.3 years of state service. A significant number of employees will be eligible for retirement in the coming biennium. This change in workforce will eliminate a significant amount of the institutional knowledge that helps DMME understand and face the challenges of providing high quality customer service in the worker safety, environmental protection, geology, and energy conservation arenas. DMME recruitment and retention will be made more difficult as the industry offers higher wages to deal with its labor shortage. DMME is expanding the use of mentoring to preserve the knowledge of employees in critical positions.
  
  There are a number of efforts underway to centralize state government activities, including leases in some geographic areas, information technology services, and enterprise applications. DMME maintains low-cost, efficient systems that provide many of these functions. A move to use of centralized systems will cause at least a temporary loss in efficiency as the new systems are put in place, requiring transfer of information from agency legacy systems to the new systems, slower processing of the activities during retraining of agency employees, and increased agency costs to cover any new fees.
  
  Counties could impose stiffer ordinances controlling blasting and other mine related activities, creating challenges to our customers in meeting their business goals.

• Description of the Agency's Products and/or Services:
  Customer assistance:
  • Job safety analysis, risk assessment, hazard identification, training, technical assistance, education, and cooperative projects – in such areas as mine safety, environmental protection and land reclamation during mineral extraction, geologic investigation and mapping, economic mineral information, energy efficiency, and alternative energy development.
  • Customer assistance services assist customers maintain safe and environmentally protective mineral extraction sites in compliance with regulatory requirements, use geologic and mineral resource information to manage development and natural resources, and appropriately use or conserve energy resources.
  
  Inspection and enforcement:
  • Thorough and consistent inspection and enforcement of laws and regulations addressing worker safety on mineral extraction sites, operational and reclamation environmental controls, and water quality. Assess company and individual responsibility and liability as appropriate. Investigate accidents and complaints. Civil penalty assessment.
  • Inspection and enforcement services assist customers to maintain safe and environmentally protective mineral extraction sites in compliance with regulatory requirements.
  
  Certification:
  • Certification of persons performing mining and other specialized tasks on mineral extraction sites, such as certification of general coal miners, general mineral miners, mine foremen, blasters, electricians, underground diesel equipment mechanics, gas detection, hoisting engineer, and others.
  • Mineral extraction worker certification services assure workers performing specialized tasks necessary to maintain safe mineral extraction sites are qualified to perform these tasks.
  
  Permitting:
  • Permit and plan review and approval, financial bonding, coordination with other agencies’ regulatory requirements.
  • Permitting and plan review services ensure mineral extraction operations can be conducted safely and protective of the environment (operations, land reclamation, water quality) and in compliance with mineral extraction laws and regulations.
  
  Regulatory development:
  • Establishing minimum operational and reclamation requirements consistent with governing laws for mineral extraction operations.
  • Regulatory services ensure the legal standards governing mineral extraction operations will result in safe and environmentally protective operations while establishing the minimum required intrusion in permitted and licensed operations.
  
  Land reclamation:
  • Reclamation of abandoned coal mine lands, orphaned mineral mine lands, and orphaned gas and oil wells, and bond forfeiture sites; replacement of water supplies damaged from historic coal mining operations; emergency reclamation of imminent dangers caused from abandoned mined lands; and restoration of streams damaged by acid mine drainage and sedimentation.
  • Land reclamation services correct damage and mitigate risks of future damage from improperly reclaimed mineral extraction lands.
  
  Correlative rights protection:
  • Establishment of orders protecting the property interests for persons owning gas or oil interests around producing gas and oil wells (called correlative rights). Management of escrow accounts where ownership of coalbed methane gas is contested and when owners of the gas or oil interests are unknown or unlocatable.
  • Protects the ownership interests of persons owning oil or gas rights, ensuring that the proper owners will receive the proceeds from sales of produced gas or oil.
  
  Grants and financing:
  • Providing direct grants, serving as a grants manager for federal funds, and developing alternative financing sources for energy efficiency.
  • Grant services provide funds to facilitate mineral and energy projects that would not be undertaken without the extra financial support.
  
  Economic development:
  • Managing economic development incentives for energy industry development and providing information in support of economic development (site geology, mineral availability, sources of water, and similar information).
  • Economic development services support efforts to increase jobs and economic activity in Virginia such as the biofuels incentive program.
  
  Management and administrative support:
  • Grant management, budgeting, accounting, accounts payable, human resources, procurement, inventory, information technology services and computer security, document retention, media relations, public information, regulatory and legislative review and development, intellectual properties management, internal auditing, fleet management, and issues management services.
  • Management and administrative support services assure compliance with externally mandated program and administrative laws, regulations, and policies (state and federal) and internal management standards, and promotes effectiveness and efficiency (doing the right things well) in DMME’s operations.
• Factors Impacting Agency Products and/or Services:
  Detailed analyses of the factors impacting agency products and services are given under the individual service area accounts.
• Anticipated Changes in Products or Services:
  Detailed analyses of anticipated changes to agency products and services are given under the individual service area accounts.

• Financial Overview:
  DMME’s funding comes from federal funds (42%); general funds (35%); permit and license fees paid by mineral extraction operators (7%); bond forfeiture proceeds (8%); indirect cost recovery revenue (4%); and miscellaneous sources, such as state designated mine rescue team dues, civil penalty payments, and orphaned mineral mine or well reclamation or plugging revenues (4%).
• Financial Breakdown:

  	FY 2009			FY 2010
  	General Fund	Nongeneral Fund		General Fund	Nongeneral Fund
  Base Budget	$11,787,097	$18,601,968		$11,787,097	$18,601,968
  Change To Base	$1,124,949	$2,242,880		$1,257,466	$2,242,880
  Agency Total	$12,912,046	$20,844,848		$13,044,563	$20,844,848

  This financial summary is computed from information entered in the service area plans.

• Overview
  As of October 1, 2007, the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy has an authorized FTE level of 240, with 226 positions filled and 14 vacancies. DMME has offices in Richmond, Abingdon, Charlottesville, Keen Mountain, and Big Stone Gap, Virginia. There are 18 Division of Energy and Division of Administration employees working in Richmond; 41 Division of Mineral Mining and Division of Mineral Resources employees working out of the Charlottesville office; 39 Division of Mines and Division of Mined Land Reclamation employees working out of the Keen Mountain office; 16 Division of Gas and Oil and Division of Mineral Resources employees working out of the Abingdon office; and 126 Division of Mines, Division of Mined Land Reclamation, and Division of Administration employees working out of the Big Stone Gap office. We use 46 role codes, with the largest employee population (119) in the Minerals Specialist I role (inspection/permit/administrative staff). Field inspection staff are located throughout the state, with the highest concentration in the seven southwest coalfield counties. They work out of four-wheel drive vehicles and telecommute via cell phone, laptop computers, and two-way radios. DMME will face human resource issues as the current workforce approaches retirement and as the mineral extraction industry increases its salaries in response to labor shortages.
• Human Resource Levels

  Effective Date	10/24/2006
  Total Authorized Position level	240
  Vacant Positions	-10
  Current Employment Level	230.0
  Non-Classified (Filled)	3
  Full-Time Classified (Filled)	227		breakout of Current Employment Level
  Part-Time Classified (Filled)	0
  Faculty (Filled)	0
  Wage	2
  Contract Employees	4
  Total Human Resource Level	236.0		= Current Employment Level + Wage and Contract Employees

• Factors Impacting HR
  Detailed analyses of the factors impacting the agency workforce are given under the individual service area accounts.
• Anticipated HR Changes
  Detailed analyses of the potential changes to the agency workforce are given under the individual service area accounts.

• Narrative overview of the current state of IT in the agency:
  DMME has robust internal IT capabilities, with modern hardware and extensive business applications for our office and field staff. DMME has advanced capabilities in the areas of mapping and enforcement tools for our field staff. DMME has implemented web-based and E-Government services for a majority of our industry customers. These changes have had a positive impact on agency service delivery and customer satisfaction. During the past year DMME has been recognized as a finalist by NASCIO for its IT Student Internship program. DMME, in partnership with VDOT, has also recently piloted the implementation of PKI-based digital signatures for coal and gas and oil industry customers with funding from the Governor’s Productivity Investment Fund. IT related service and operation costs for the agency have increased substantially in recent years due to the implementation of VITA/NG chargeback models.
• Narrative description of the factors impacting agency IT:
  Increasing IT costs have made it operationally difficult for DMME to continue to develop new and innovative services. Customers continue to express a high demand for electronic government services and information. DMME has been awarded several PIF grants for implementing new IT systems in order to improve customer services.
• Describe any anticipated or desired changes to agency IT:
  DMME has developed web-based government-to-business applications for customers to submit permit-related forms in the Gas and Oil Environmental Protection, Worker Safety and Land Reclamation and Mineral Mining Environmental Protection, Worker Safety and Land Reclamation service areas. These applications will continue to be expanded during the coming biennium to provide additional services to our industry customers. The award-winning DMME electronic permitting system in the Coal Environmental Protection and Land Reclamation service area and related regulatory applications will be expanded to provide additional functionality to DMME and its customers. DMME has upgraded the Mineral Mining and Gas and Oil E-Government systems, and will expand web functionality to Surface Mining and Underground Mining customers in the coming biennium.
• IT Current Services:

  	Cost - Year 1		Cost - Year 2
  	General Fund	Non-general Fund	General Fund	Non-general Fund
  Projected FY2010 VITA Service Fees	$0	$0	$0	$0
  Changes (+/-) to VITA Infrastructure	$0	$0	$0	$0
  Estimated VITA Infrastruture	$0	$0	$0	$0
  Specialized Infrastructure	$0	$55,771	$0	$55,771
  Agency IT Staff	$0	$0	$0	$0
  Non-agency IT Staff	$0	$0	$0	$0
  Other Application Costs	$265,181	$115,392	$265,181	$115,392
  Agency IT Current Services	$265,181	$171,163	$265,181	$171,163

  Comments:
  [Nothing entered]
• Proposed IT Investments

  	Cost - Year 1		Cost - Year 2
  	General Fund	Non-general Fund	General Fund	Non-general Fund
  Major IT Projects	$0	$0	$0	$0
  Non-major IT Projects From $100,000 - $1 Milliona Total Cost	$14,000	$0	$0	$0
  Non-major IT Projects Below $100,000 Total Cost	$0	$0	$0	$0
  Major IT Procurements - Stand-alone	$0	$0	$0	$0
  Non-major IT Procurements - Stand-alone	$0	$0	$0	$0
  Total Proposed IT Investments	$14,000	$0	$0	$0

• Projected Total IT Budget

  	Cost - Year 1		Cost - Year 2
  	General Fund	Non-general Fund	General Fund	Non-general Fund
  Agency IT Current Services	$265,181	$171,163	$265,181	$171,163
  Total Proposed IT Investments	$14,000	$0	$0	$0
  Agency Projected Total IT Budget	$279,181	$171,163	$265,181	$171,163

• Current State of Capital Investments:
  DMME owns only one facility, its office and garage buildings which are co-located in Big Stone Gap. The agency does not intend to make any substantial capital investments during the 2008-2010 biennium.
• Factors Impacting Capital Investments:
  DMME's facilities in Big Stone Gap were completed and opened in 1991. As these buildings age, a moderate amount of maintenance funding will be required, which will be supplied from the maintenance reserve.
• Capital Investments Alignment:
  DMME's concentration of office and field staff in the coalfield of Southwest Virginia warrants the agency owning a building located there. Office space leased or provided through cooperative agreements with other agencies in other parts of Virginia provides some flexibility in adjusting available space to future needs.

Virginia needs energy and mineral resources to support its economy. Persons working at Virginia’s mineral extraction sites, persons living in the vicinity of the sites, and Virginia’s environment should be protected from the negative effects of producing these energy and mineral resources.

• Be a national leader in the preservation and enhancement of our economy.
• Protect, conserve and wisely develop our natural, historical and cultural resources.
• Protect the public’s safety and security, ensuring a fair and effective system of justice and providing a prepared response to emergencies and disasters of all kinds.
• Ensure that Virginia has a transportation system that is safe, enables easy movement of people and goods, enhances the economy and improves our quality of life.

• We will eliminate accidents, injuries, and fatalities at mineral and fossil fuel sites.
  Objective Strategies

  • The DMME Divisions of Mines, Mined Land Reclamation, Mineral Mining, and Gas and Oil will identify and eliminate unsafe conditions and practices through assistance and consistent, thorough inspections to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
  • The DMME Divisions of Mines, Mineral Mining, Gas and Oil, Mined Land Reclamation, and Mineral Resources will provide assistance to enhance safe mining and well site conditions and practices, including: ·Regular evaluation of customer operational risk factors, safety performance, and emergency preparedness and response capabilities. ·Proactive review and consultation with customers and stakeholders concerning identified safety risks and needed improvements. ·Follow-up contacts with customers and stakeholders to evaluate the extent that risk and safety concerns are addressed.
  • The DMME Divisions of Mines, Mineral Mining, and Gas and Oil, with assistance from the DMME Divisions of Mineral Resources and Mined Land Reclamation, will investigate accidents and complaints and take actions to prevent future occurrences of unsafe acts and conditions.
  • The DMME Divisions of Mines, Mineral Mining, and Gas and Oil will assess company and individual responsibility for violations of laws and regulations and take appropriate actions to prevent future violations.
  • The Division of Mines, with assistance from other DMME Divisions, will take actions to implement coal mine emergency response plans for all underground coal mines and provide assistance to operations in achieving compliance with other provisions of the federal MINER Act.
  • The DMME Divisions will collaborate on safety issues involving mining and gas and oil activities, including: ·Developing comprehensive automated mapping of all DMME’s mine, gas well, and geological data. ·Communicating on issues of mutual concern related to mining and gas well activities. ·Increasing coordination of DMME’s inspection activities.

  Objective Measures

  • Number of serious injuries and fatalities at mineral and fossil fuel extraction sites per 200,000 worker hours.
    Measure Class:

    Governor's Key

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Down

    Key Summary: We will reduce the annual rate of serious injuries and fatalities at mine sites by at least 12% over the next three years.

    Frequency Comment: Based on calendar year reporting.

    Measure Baseline Value:

    0.30

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 0.30 (average CY 2002 - CY 2006)

    Measure Target Value:

    0.26

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: 0.26 (CY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: Data is collected from reports of serious personal injuries and fatalities submitted by permitted mine operators throughout the year and the reports of employee work hours reported by permitted mine operators on their annual tonnage reports submitted to DMME. The rate is calculated as the number of serious personal injuries and fatalities per 200,000 work hours. DMME evaluates the five-year rolling average of this rate to determine the trend.

  • Percentage of safety violations successfully eliminated by the violations’ due dates
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    98.2

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 98.2% (FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    95

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=95% (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using information from DMME’s automated enforcement systems. Records of violations show date issued, target date for correcting the violation, and date the violation is corrected. The percentage is calculated based on total number of safety violations corrected by their due dates and of total safety violations issued.

• We will eliminate adverse environmental conditions and public safety hazards resulting from mineral and fossil fuel extraction sites .
  Objective Strategies

  • The DMME Divisions of Mined Land Reclamation, Gas and Oil, and Mineral Mining will provide assistance and consistent, thorough inspections to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and to identify and eliminate adverse environmental conditions and public safety hazards. Assistance and inspections will be coordinated among DMME’s Divisions and with other local, state, and federal agencies.
  • The DMME Divisions of Mined Land Reclamation, Gas and Oil, and Mineral Mining, with assistance from the DMME Divisions of Mineral Resources, Mines, and Administration, will investigate health, safety, and environmental issues, concerns, and complaints.
  • The DMME Divisions of Mined Land Reclamation, Gas and Oil, and Mineral Mining, with assistance from the DMME Division of Mines, will provide timely review and approval, consistent with laws and regulations, of permits, certificates, and plans.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining, with assistance from other DMME Divisions, will plan for and administer the permitting, exploration, and reclamation of uranium prospecting.
  • The DMME Divisions of Mined Land Reclamation, Gas and Oil, and Mineral Mining will reclaim high priority and emergency, abandoned, orphaned, and forfeited sites using all available resources.
  • The DMME Divisions of Mined Land Reclamation, Gas and Oil, and Mineral Mining, with assistance from the DMME Division of Mineral Resources, will enhance inventory lists of abandoned, orphaned, and forfeited sites by using criteria such as watershed, wetland, carbon sequestration, and economic development site information.
  • The DMME Divisions of Mined Land Reclamation, Gas and Oil, Mineral Mining, Administration, and Mineral Resources will pursue methods, such as external funding, partnerships, leveraging, and cooperating with other state and federal projects, to advance the elimination of adverse environmental and public health and safety hazards.

  Objective Measures

  • Percentage of permitted sites with no adverse off-site environmental damage or public safety hazards.
    Measure Class:

    Governor's Key

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Quarterly

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Key Summary: We will ensure the percentage of permitted sites with no adverse off-site environmental damage or public safety hazards remains above 95% .

    Measure Baseline Value:

    99.5

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 99.5% (average FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    95

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=95% (average FY 2006 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using information from DMME’s automated enforcement systems. Records of violations show whether there was any off-site damage or public safety hazard related to a violation of environmental laws or regulations. The number of sites with no violations causing off-site impacts is calculated as a percentage of permitted sites. This measure is reported by fiscal year quarters.

  • Percentage of environmental violations successfully eliminated by the violations’ due dates.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    82.0

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 82.0% (average FY 2003 - 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    80

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=80% (FY 2009 - 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using information from DMME’s automated enforcement systems. Records of violations show date issued, target date for eliminating the violation, and date the violation is eliminated. The total number of environmental violations eliminated by their due date is calculated as a percentage of total environmental violations issued.

• To improve the health, safety, and environmental knowledge and skills of mineral and fossil fuel extraction workers.
  Objective Strategies

  • The DMME Divisions of Mines and Mineral Mining will provide for certification and related training programs that: ·Ensure required competency in critical job skills. ·Address the needs of mine operators and miners. ·Develop and promote web delivery capabilities.
  • The DMME Divisions of Mines and Mineral Mining will develop and provide educational services and training materials based upon trends to reduce accidents, injuries, and health and safety violations.
  • The DMME Divisions of Mines, Mineral Mining, Mined Land Reclamation, and Gas and Oil will assess the education and training needs of mineral and fossil fuel workers and provide leadership for the development and delivery of innovative and effective training concepts and methods.

  Objective Measures

  • Percentage of miners rating DMME provided mine safety training as very helpful or very effective.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    82.7

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 82.7% (average FY 2005 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    80

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=80% (FY 2009 - FY 2010).

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using results of evaluations completed by miners attending DMME’s mine safety training. The percentage of miners rating the information as very helpful or very effective in helping them work more safely (level 5 on a 1 to 5 scale) is calculated from the total number of miners in the training sessions.

Virginia should use its energy mineral resources in a way that minimizes waste of and enhances conservation of the resources, so that the resources are available to support the state and the national economy.

• Be a national leader in the preservation and enhancement of our economy.
• Protect, conserve and wisely develop our natural, historical and cultural resources.

• To improve our customers’ ability to establish and maintain efficient, viable operations.
  Objective Strategies

  • Each DMME Division will provide effective, timely, and useful assistance to its customers through site visits, referrals, training, consultative services, technology transfer, partnerships, or leveraging other resources.
  • Each DMME Division will involve its customers and stakeholders in continually identifying, developing, and implementing process improvements to include e-government, regulatory guidance, electronic information/data distribution, and technical assistance.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation, in collaboration with other DMME Divisions, will work with federal agencies, coal mine operators, utilities, landholders, public-private partnerships, and community interests to expand land reclamation and development through remining.
  • The Division of Mines, with assistance from other Divisions, will develop a plan for assisting operators in complying with provisions of Section 4 of the federal MINER Act (Mine Rescue Teams).
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Resources, in collaboration with other DMME Divisions, customers, and stakeholders, will identify, prioritize, conduct, and make available results of geologic and mineral resource investigations that facilitate economic development.

  Objective Measures

  • Percentage of timely decisions on initial permit applications.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Quarterly

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    97.8

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 97.8% (average FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    95

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=95% (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using permit-tracking data from DMME’s divisions. Each division totals the number of permit decisions made within the time deadlines for that program as compared to total permit decisions due that quarter. These numbers are used to calculate the percentage of timely permit decisions.

• To improve our customers’ capabilities in the development and wise use of rock, mineral, land, water, and energy resources.
  Objective Strategies

  • Each DMME Division will identify, prioritize, develop, and make available information that meets customers’ needs.
  • The DMME Division of Energy will finalize recommendations, build support among stakeholders, and obtain necessary funding to implement the Virginia Energy Plan.
  • Each DMME Division will collaborate with economic development organizations and other stakeholders to advance opportunities associated with mineral resources, infrastructure, and energy technologies, such as: ·Carbon sequestration. ·Carbon to liquids. ·Highway construction. ·Uranium industry.
  • The DMME Public Information and Education Work Group will finalize its recommendations for initiatives to address increasing public interest in energy and resources extraction activities. The recommendations will be reported to the DMME Strategic Team, which will review them and then task the Divisions to implement specific activities.
  • Each DMME Division will seek opportunities to partner with stakeholders to develop mined land for economic development and other beneficial land uses, such as carbon sequestration projects, industrial development sites, and other types of facilities and uses.
  • Each DMME Division, with assistance from the Office of Management Information Systems, will expand the number of products that are electronically available.
  • Each DMME Division will identify emerging issues, such as Total Maximum Daily Load requirements, uranium exploration, offshore drilling, and consolidated federal coal permitting, and work with its customers to address potential impacts.

  Objective Measures

  • Percentage annual growth in the Virginia Geospatial Data Index
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    9.9

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 9.9% (average FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    4

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >= 4% annually (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated based on the level of detail and degree of completion of geologic information and maps available in web, digital, published paper, or open file form, adjusted based on a relevance factor related to population growth in each county covered by the data. The index is used to calculate percentage growth per year.

  • Percentage of customer forms submitted electronically.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 54.7% (average FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    Date:

    Measure Target Description: 75% (FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: DMME’s divisions count the number of electronic form submissions using activity logs. The total number of form submissions is estimated by DMME’s program managers based on the level of business activity. This measure is calculated as a percentage of the number of forms submitted electronically as compared to an estimate of the total number of forms submitted by DMME’s customers.

• We will reduce future state government energy costs.
  Objective Strategies

  • The DMME Division of Energy, in collaboration with other DMME Divisions, customers, and stakeholders, will promote energy savings, use of alternative energy providers, and use of alternative energy sources with a focus on state facilities, communities, and local governments, and will provide support for energy emergency response.

  Objective Measures

  • Amount of saved energy costs achieved through energy conservation and procurement strategies.
    Measure Class:

    Governor's Key

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Key Summary: We will increase the amount of energy cost savings among participating state agencies by 20% per year.

    Measure Baseline Value:

    4.5

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: $4.5 million in saved costs (FY 2006)

    Measure Target Value:

    9.3

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: To increase cost savings by 20% per year, to save $9.3 million annually by 2010

    Data Source and Calculation: Records of executed performance contracts and state agency utility accounts employing alternative energy strategies or rate schedules are compared to previous years to determine the annual growth in cost savings.

By maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of its personnel, DMME will ensure that it is a benchmark for excellence in providing value-added services to its customers in an atmosphere of trust.

• Engage and inform citizens to ensure we serve their interests.
• Be recognized as the best-managed state in the nation.

• To perform administrative functions in compliance with externally mandated and internal performance standards.
  Objective Strategies

  • Each DMME Division will perform administrative functions to include grant management, budgeting, accounting, accounts payable, human resources, procurement, inventory, information technology services and computer security, document retention, media relations, public information, regulatory and legislative review and development, intellectual properties management, internal auditing, fleet management, and issues management in compliance with state, federal, and agency regulations and policies.
  • DMME will evaluate the results of external audits and Governor’s Management Scorecard measures to assess compliance with performance standards.

  Objective Measures

  • Percentage of Governor's Management Scorecard categories marked as "meets expectations" for the agency.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    83.3

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 83.3% (Q4 FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    100

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: 100% (FY 2009 - FY 2010))

    Data Source and Calculation: DMME's results are entered into the Management Scorecard in the Virginia Performs website for each management category. Scores are presented on the website.

• To enable all DMME employees to meet or exceed their annual employee objectives established in their Employee Work Profiles each year.
  Objective Strategies

  • DMME employees will work with their supervisors to update their Employee Work Profiles to successfully implement the strategic and operational plans through: ·Documentation of work by position to facilitate cross training and mentoring. ·Safety performance measurement. ·Inter-divisional job exchange. ·Technology and other skills training (recommended at 40 hours per year). · Development of communication skills. · Addressing the authority to accomplish expectations. · Increased employee recognition and the use of rewards. · Interaction necessary to ensure buy-in.
  • The DMME Training Team will develop training opportunities by: ·Updating the Training Needs Assessment. ·Securing specific advanced courses. ·Coordinating emergency preparedness training in conjunction with the Continuity of Operations Plan. ·Coordinating annual training days.
  • Each DMME Division will include personal health and safety topics in staff, section, and other meetings.
• To provide for the most efficient and effective application of DMME resources.
  Objective Strategies

  • Each DMME Division, with assistance from the DMME Division of Administration, will monitor their financial needs and projected revenues, and their impacts on services.
  • Each DMME Division will survey customers using techniques that emphasize comments to measure the extent the department has met or exceeded expectations for key services from 90% of customers, looking at both process and results.
• To enable DMME employees to effectively expand the use of technology.
  Objective Strategies

  • The DMME Strategic Team will, on a quarterly basis, review and prioritize agency information technology needs and projects.
  • The DMME Technology Management Team will develop and recommend agency technology upgrades, changes, and acquisitions to the Strategic Team and ensure delivery of IT services.
  • Each DMME Division will work with the Office of Management Information Systems, Office of Financial Services, and Office of Program Support to implement expanded electronic-government services for its customers.
  • The Office of Management Information Systems and the Office of General Services will expand high-speed remote access for DMME’s staff to support telecommuting and expanded electronic-government services.
  • All DMME Divisions will review processes to eliminate duplication and enhance utilization of electronic systems, as they are developed or rewritten, in order to move towards a paperless environment while maintaining existing services.

This goal ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, policies and procedures for Commonwealth preparedness, as well as guidelines promulgated by the Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness, in collaboration with the Governor's Cabinet, the Commonwealth Preparedness Working Group, the Department of Planning and Budget and the Council on Virginia's Future. The goal supports achievment of the Commonwealth's statewide goal of protecting the public's safety and security, ensuring a fair and effective system of justice and providing a prepared response to emergencies and disasters of all kinds.

• Protect the public’s safety and security, ensuring a fair and effective system of justice and providing a prepared response to emergencies and disasters of all kinds.

• We will be prepared to act in the interest of the citizens of the Commonwealth and its infrastructure during emergency situations by actively planning and training both as an agency and as individuals.
  Objective Strategies

  • The agency Emergency Coordination Officer will stay in continuous communication with the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
  • DMME will review its Continuity of Operations Plan annually and make changes necessary to improve preparedness.

• Factors Impacting the Products and/or Services:
  Customer assistance requests are expected to increase as energy costs remain high. Coal mining and gas and oil companies will request more assistance to locate available resources for new operations
  
  • Expansion of web-based electronic government capability will increase the sales potential of geologic information and maps.
  
  • The U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) has increased its interest in offshore sand and mineral resources. The MMS is requesting DMME undertake new geologic investigation activities to locate potential usable offshore deposits. Locating new offshore sand deposits will help provide cost-effective sources of sand for beach replenishment and for industrial mineral production. This will enhance economic development in coastal Virginia communities.
  
  • Increased availability of digitized underground mine maps will allow mine permits and plans to account for the presence of the old mine works and result in a safer mining environment. DMME has thousands of digital underground coal mine maps that must be georeferenced in geographic information systems to accurately show their relationship with planned mines and other land uses. This is critical to ensure that new mines can be safely operated in the vicinity of the old workings. Accurate underground mine mapping is also critical to the design of the Coalfields Expressway and other economic development or infrastructure projects.
  
  • Permitting of new mineral extraction sites will become more difficult as surface coal sites move closer to built-up areas (due to the limited areas of remaining coal reserves) and sprawl reaches areas where mineral mines are located. Companies will need additional geologic information to properly permit sites in areas with increasing land use conflicts and in new, more remote areas.
  
  • DMME will need to replace a significant proportion of its workforce in the near future. This will eliminate a significant amount of the institutional knowledge that helps DMME understand and face the challenges of providing high quality customer service. DMME will be faced with increasing difficulty in finding these high quality workers at state salary rates as mining and other energy industries increase the amount they pay employees to combat their labor shortages.
• Anticipated Changes to the Products and/or Services
  The demand for DMME’s customer services are anticipated to increase as the mineral extraction industry faces continuing business challenges and as energy costs remain high.
  
  • DMME has the potential to increase sales of geologic maps and information across the Internet as electronic government is more widely implemented.
  
  • Interest in offshore sand, mineral, and natural gas deposits will increase the need for geologic investigations in offshore waters.
  
  • Geologic support to digitize underground mine maps will increase as DMME is faced with georeferencing its backlog of scanned underground mine maps.
  
  • DMME anticipates losing more employees to mine operators as these companies increase their salaries to respond to labor shortages. We will also be faced with increasing difficulty attracting the same level of experienced employees at current state salaries.
• Listing of Products and/or Services
  • Customer assistance • Hazard identification, technical assistance, education, and cooperative projects in such areas as environmental protection and land reclamation, geologic investigation and mapping, and economic mineral resource assessment. • Customer assistance services help customers maintain safe and environmentally protective mineral resource extraction sites, use geologic and mineral resource information to manage development and natural resources, and incorporate geologic information in land use planning.
  • Regulatory development • Provide geologic information needed to establish minimum operational and reclamation requirements consistent with governing laws for mineral extraction operations. • These services ensure the legal standards governing mineral extraction operations are based on a clear understanding of how regulated operations must account for the underlying geologic conditions.
  • Land reclamation • Identification and investigation of abandoned/orphaned mine lands to allow prioritization and design of needed reclamation. • Land reclamation services correct damage and mitigate risks of future damage from unreclaimed or improperly reclaimed mineral extraction lands.
  • Economic development • Provide information in support of economic development (site geology, mineral availability, natural hazards, sources of water, and similar information). • Economic development services support efforts to increase jobs and economic activity in Virginia.

• To enhance worker and public safety related to geologic conditions.
  Objective Description
  This objective ensures that we focus on worker and public safety during our studies of geologic conditions. DMME’s regulatory divisions use geologic information to enhance their safety and environmental protection services. They need information about geologic conditions that could affect worker or public safety, and accurate digital maps showing abandoned mine workings and locations of geologic and mineral resources and abandoned surface mines.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
    Comment: DMME’s divisions use geologic information to enhance their safety and environmental protection services. They need information about geologic conditions that could affect worker or public safety, and accurate digital maps showing abandoned mine workings and locations of geologic and mineral resources and abandoned surface mines.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Resources will address unsafe conditions within the mineral and fossil fuel extraction industries through: ·Meeting with the DMME Divisions of Mines, Mined Land Reclamation, and Mineral Mining to assess the potential impact of geologic factors on worker safety and public health. ·Roof-fall identification and analysis. ·Creating a roof-fall training module. ·Locating and characterizing hazards around active and abandoned resource extraction sites. ·Geologic investigations. ·Participating, as requested, with other DMME divisions and state and local agencies in accident investigations. ·Inventorying, cataloging, and georeferencing mine maps and other related information. ·Incorporating available oil and gas geophysical logs into 3D modeling. ·Working with the DMME Division of Mineral Mining to enhance inventory lists of abandoned and orphaned sites.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Resources will assess and define the scope of a geohazards program for Virginia.
  • To assess the effectiveness of our efforts, the DMME Division of Mineral Resources will: ·Analyze safety statistics, including reported accidents, serious injuries, and fatalities on mineral extraction sites on a quarterly basis. ·Track the number of accidents and incidents such as roof-falls and hole-throughs where geologic conditions are a factor on a quarterly basis.
  Objective Measures
  • Mine accidents where geologic factors contributed to cause.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Down

    Measure Baseline Value:

    1.04

    Date:

    12/31/2007

    Measure Baseline Description: Two-year average CY2006 - CY2007

    Measure Target Value:

    1.04

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: Maintain below baseline.

    Data Source and Calculation: Data is collected from reports of serious personal injuries and fatalities submitted by permitted mine operators throughout the year and the reports of employee work hours reported by permitted mine operators on their annual tonnage reports submitted to DMME. Accident causes are reviewed to determine whether geologic factors contributed to the accident. The rate where geologic factors contributed to the accident is calculated as the number of accidents with contributing geologic factors per 200,000 work hours. DMME evaluates the five-year rolling average of this rate to determine the trend.

• To improve our customers' ability to mitigate environmental problems by providing appropriate geologic information.
  Objective Description
  This objective assures that we focus on the mitigation of environmental problems when carrying out geologic studies. In order to understand Virginia’s geology, geologic and mineral resource investigations are needed in priority areas. Geologic and mineral resource information must be available to the public and business community. Technical assistance to customers helps them understand how geology affects their areas.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development and conservation of mineral resources in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Geologic and mineral resource activities are mandated in Chapter 25 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. This objective aligns with DMME's strategic direction under goal 2, "Encourage economic development through our customers' wise management of Virginia's energy, mineral, land, and water resources" and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources, to protect the public's safety, and be a national leader in the preservation and enhancement of our economy.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Resources staff will confer as requested with DMME regulatory staff and other state agencies to define geologic conditions that adversely affect the environment.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Resources Orphaned Land Advisory Committee representatives will review results of annual assessments of abandoned mine sites with regard to geologic conditions that adversely affect the environment and provide recommendations to facilitate reclamation.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Resources will provide, through geologic investigations and reports, information on geologic conditions that may pose environmental problems.
  Objective Measures
  • Agency rating in customer satisfaction survey.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    3.4

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 3.4 out of 4 (Average FY 05 - FY 07)

    Measure Target Value:

    3.4

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: Exceed the three-year average of 3.4

    Data Source and Calculation: A sample of customers are surveyed online and by telephone interview. Customers respond to standardized questions with a score from 1 (lowest) to 4 (best). Survey data are compiled and averaged to generate an overall score.

• To improve customer capabilities in the wise use of mineral, land, water, and energy resources.
  Objective Description
  This objective assures that we focus on assisting our customers in their wise use of natural resources. In order to understand Virginia’s geology, geologic and mineral resource investigations are needed in priority areas. Geologic and mineral resource information must be available to the public and business community. Technical assistance to customers helps them understand how geology affects their areas.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development and conservation of mineral resources in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Geologic and mineral resource activities are mandated in Chapter 25 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. This objective aligns with DMME's strategic direction under goal 2, "Encourage economic development through our customers' wise management of Virginia's energy, mineral, land, and water resources" and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources, to protect the public's safety, and be a national leader in the preservation and enhancement of our economy.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Resources will identify, prioritize, conduct and make available the results of geologic and mineral resource investigations that meet the needs of our customers.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Resources will continue to provide maps, publications, and other geologic information through the sales office, Web Store, the DMME Division of Mineral Resources’ website, and presentations at professional meetings, and will take steps to improve the delivery of customer service and expand the number of products made available electronically.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Resources will provide effective, timely, and useful assistance to its customers through site visits, referrals, consultative services, technology transfer, partnerships, and leveraging other resources.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Resources will establish points of contact to provide coordinated responses to outside groups on emerging issues. These issues may include: ·Offshore drilling ·Uranium prospecting ·Virginia Energy Plan ·Geothermal energy ·Coalmine subsidence in Richmond Basin
  Objective Measures
  • Annual percent increase in the Virginia Geospatial Data Index.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    9.9

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 9.9% (Average FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    4

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >= 4% (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated based on data showing the level of detail and degree of completion of geologic information and maps available in web, digital, published paper, or open file form, adjusted based on a relevance factor related to population growth in each county covered by the data. The index is used to calculate percentage growth of available information per year.

• To improve the organization, distribution, and preservation of new and existing geologic information.
  Objective Description
  This objective assures that we focus on organizing, distributing, and preserving new and existing geologic information. Identification of information on availability of needed mineral commodities is necessary to support Virginia’s mineral and manufacturing industries.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
  • Agency Goal: Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development and conservation of mineral resources in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Geologic and mineral resource activities are mandated in Chapter 25 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. This objective aligns with DMME's strategic direction under goal 2, "Encourage economic development through our customers' wise management of Virginia's energy, mineral, land, and water resources" and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources, to protect the public's safety, and be a national leader in the preservation and enhancement of our economy.
  • Agency Goal: Provide for the effective performance of DMME personnel.
  Objective Strategies
  • The Geologic Information and Support Services Section, assisted by the Office of Management Information Systems and with guidance by the Operational Team, will create a Geologic Information Catalog
  • The Geologic Information and Support Services Section will update and maintain the DMME Division of Mineral Resources’ website in accordance with VITA Standards and meet with Section Managers quarterly to review web content.
  • The Geologic Information and Support Services Section will develop a publication process guidance document by November 30, 2007 to include the following components: ·Manuscript preparation ·Digital product preparation ·Web distribution considerations
  Objective Measures
  • Results of Internal Improvement Survey
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Output

    Measure Frequency:

    Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    60.1

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: Internal satisfaction rating out of possible 100

    Measure Target Value:

    60.1

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: Increase above baseline each year

    Data Source and Calculation: The agency will survey staff to measure the improvement of the organization and preservation of geologic information.

• To improve the ability of our staff to identify and respond to new business opportunities.
  Objective Description
  This objective assures that we focus on the development of new business opportunities.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
  • Agency Goal: Provide for the effective performance of DMME personnel.
  Objective Measures
  • Customer satisfaction rating.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    3.4

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 3.4 (Average FY 2005 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    3.4

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: Exceed the three-year average of 3.4

    Data Source and Calculation: The DMME Division of Mineral Resources (DMR) surveys customers about the value and use of information provided by the Division through the DMR Customer Assistance Tracking System. Questions addressing the value of the information are reviewed to calculate average rating given by customers on a 0 to 4 scale.

• Factors Impacting the Products and/or Services:
  Increasing demand from customers for providing expanded e-government services is driving several intitiatives:
  ·Implementing the use of e-forms to provide customers with faster access for submittal of amendments, renewals, annual reporting, and updating of permit and company information.
  ·DMME is enhancing electronic business-to-government capability for its mineral mining operators. The e-Forms Center will provide mineral mine operators with the ability to electronically submit permitting applications and annual tonnage reports, manage contractor lists, register for training classes, provide EFT and otherwise conduct their business with DMME online. In addition, DMME is converting all paper mineral mining permitting files to electronic format in an effort to provide a seamless, paperless environment in conjunction with the electronic business-to-government capability provided by the e-Forms Center. This effort will result in an electronic file cabinet for use by the field staff and office staff, as well as our operators. DMME continues to work with mineral mine operators to expand the use of this e-government system through the next fiscal year. DMME is also extending this system developed for the mineral mining program to develop similar e-government systems for its gas and oil and coal mine safety programs.
  Increased emphasis on mine safety is driving an inititative to implement a safety award program in cooperation with Virginia Transportation and Construction Alliance to recognize both company and individual contribution to mineral miner safety in Virginia.
  Increased public scrutiny of mineral mining operations regulated by our agency is driving a new complaint risk assessment program to take a more proactive position on factors contributing to complaints involving blasting, tracking of mud and debris on roadways, and generation of dust from mine sites.
  
  • Renewed interest in nuclear power and the associated steep increase in uranium prices have made formerly uneconomic deposits of uranium more attractive to prospectors and investors. This will drive an increased need for issuing exploration permits under this service area. Uranium mining in Virginia is currently prohibited by statute, but possible future lifting of the moratorium would require the promulgation of a whole new chapter of regulations by the agency, and new procedures and activities to enforce them.
  
  • Mineral mine operators will increasingly use independent contractors for a wide variety of services on mineral mines.
  
  • The mineral mining industry competes with the construction industry for workers. As the construction workforce is increasingly made up of Spanish-speaking workers, mineral mine workers will also become increasingly Spanish speaking.
  
  • Permitting of new mineral extraction sites will become more difficult as expanding areas of residential and commercial development reach areas where mineral mines are located.
  
  • Past reductions in DMME’s budgets have caused the agency to increasingly rely on permit and license revenue. DMME will spend down fund balances from these sources in the coming year.
  
  • DMME will need to replace a significant proportion of its workforce in the near future. This will eliminate a significant amount of the institutional knowledge that helps DMME understand and face the challenges of providing high quality customer service. DMME will be faced with increasing difficulty in finding these high quality workers at state salary rates as mining and other energy industries have substantially increased the amount they pay employees to combat their labor shortages.
• Anticipated Changes to the Products and/or Services
  The agency is expanding e-government services, including electronic customer forms served through a web-based interface. The agency is also taking a more proactive role in assisting customers in abating conditions that cause public complaints.
  
  • The demand for DMME’s customer services is anticipated to increase as the mineral extraction industry faces continuing business challenges.
  
  • More DMME permitting and reporting activities will be shifted to electronic government systems as web-based tools are implemented.
  
  • DMME training and certification services are anticipated to increase as the construction industry competes with the mineral mining industry for workers, causing a substantial turnover in mineral mine workers. These services will need to be adapted to account for increasing numbers of workers with Spanish as their primary language.
  
  • Increased use of contractors on mineral mine sites also will increase the demand for training and assistance services.
  
  • Increasing conflict between mineral mines and expanding areas of residential and commercial development will increase the likelihood of challenges to permitting decisions. This will increase use of formal litigated-issues hearings and court challenges.
  
  • DMME anticipates losing more employees to mine operators as these companies increase their salaries to respond to their labor shortages. We will also be faced with increasing difficulty attracting the same level of experienced employees at current state salaries.
  
  • Projected spending down of permit fee fund balances will cause DMME to have to either reduce services or find additional funding in the new biennium.
• Listing of Products and/or Services
  • Customer assistance • Job safety analysis, risk assessment, hazard identification, training, technical assistance, education, and cooperative projects – in such areas as mine safety, environmental protection, and land reclamation during mineral extraction. • Customer assistance services assist customers to maintain safe and environmentally protective mineral extraction sites in compliance with regulatory requirements and use mineral production information to manage development and natural resources.
  • Inspection and enforcement • Thorough and consistent inspection and enforcement of laws and regulations addressing worker safety on mineral extraction sites and operational and reclamation environmental controls. Assess company and individual responsibility and liability as appropriate. Investigate accidents and complaints. Note that DMME does not inspect for worker health and safety on those mineral mines inspected by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The agency does complete these inspections on those mines not inspected by MSHA. DMME does investigate accidents and complaints and complete reclamation inspections on all mine sites. Appeals to DMME’s reclamation enforcement actions are taken to the Board of Surface Mining Review. • Inspection and enforcement services assist customers to maintain safe and environmentally protective mineral extraction sites in compliance with regulatory requirements
  • Certification • Certification of persons performing mining and other specialized tasks on mineral mine sites, such as certification of general mineral miners, mine foremen, blasters, electricians, and others. Enforcement actions against certified workers are taken by the Board of Mineral Mining Examiners. • Mineral extraction worker certification services assure workers performing specialized tasks necessary to maintain safe mineral extraction sites are qualified to perform these tasks
  • Permitting • Permit and plan review and approval, financial bonding, coordination with other agencies’ regulatory requirements. • Permitting and plan review services ensure mineral extraction operations can be conducted safely and protective of the environment (operations, land reclamation) and in compliance with mineral mining laws and regulations
  • Regulatory development • Establishing minimum operational and reclamation requirements consistent with governing laws for mineral mining operations. DMME is the regulatory authority for mine safety and reclamation regulations. The Board of Mineral Mining Examiners promulgates regulations governing certification of mineral miners. • Regulatory services ensure the legal standards governing mineral mining operations will result in safe and environmentally protective operations while establishing the minimum required intrusion in permitted and licensed operations
  • Land reclamation • Reclamation of orphaned (abandoned and not reclaimed) mineral mine lands and bond forfeiture sites. Funds for the land reclamation activities come from interest earned on bonds posted by permitted mine operators in the Minerals Reclamation Fund (a pool bonding fund). DMME uses interest earned on the Minerals Reclamation Fund and grants to fund reclamation of orphaned mine land. The orphaned land program uses the Orphaned Land Advisory Committee for guidance on which orphaned lands should receive the highest priority for reclamation. • Land reclamation services correct damage and mitigate risks of future damage from improperly reclaimed mineral extraction lands.
  • Economic development • Providing information on mineral availability in support of economic development. • Reclaimed mineral mines may be developed into new commercial, industrial, or residential sites. • Economic development services support efforts to increase jobs and economic activity in Virginia.

• To eliminate injuries and fatalities at mineral mine sites.
  Objective Description
  This objective assures that we focus on safety programs that decrease the number of injuries and fatalities at mineral mine sites. Protection of worker and public safety from the dangers on mineral mine sites is of critical importance to ensure the safety of Virginians working on or living near mineral mine sites. Dangers may be present due to improper conditions or improper actions by miners. The DMME Division of Mineral Mining provides customer assistance and inspection and enforcement of mine safety based on a risk assessment of mines, with the riskiest mines receiving a higher level of services.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of mineral resources in a safe manner. The mineral mine safety program is mandated in Chapters 14.4:1 through 14.6 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia, known as the Virginia Mineral Mine Safety Act. This act establishes the minimum requirements for mineral mine safety in Virginia. Safety around impoundments on mineral mines is mandated in Chapter 18.1 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 1, “Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction”, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect the public’s safety and to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will provide customer assistance and conduct thorough and consistent inspections, utilizing the risk assessment process to achieve compliance with mine safety laws and regulations.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining (DMM) will investigate accidents and resolve safety and health complaints associated with mineral mine sites. DMM will provide timely and complete reporting and take actions to prevent future occurrences of unsafe practices and conditions.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will assist Division of Mines to implement a mine emergency response capability for coal and mineral mines.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining (DMM) will develop and provide site-specific educational services and products targeted to eliminate accidents, injuries, fatalities, and adverse health effects. DMM will improve quality and accessibility of training services provided to miners by: ·Using accident data and risk assessment analysis to develop training materials. ·Improving timeliness of posting training materials on the web.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining (DMM) will provide certification and related training programs and services that ensure required competency and improve safe mining practices. In particular, the Safety Engineer, with assistance from DMM staff, will: ·Update certification training materials to reflect changes to laws and regulations, and updated accident statistics and trends. ·Continue to develop the certification exam data banks and implement the electronic testing and grading system.
  Objective Measures
  • Serious personal injury-fatality rate on mineral mine sites.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Down

    Frequency Comment: This is an industry-standard measure which is based on a CALENDAR YEAR.

    Measure Baseline Value:

    0.16

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 0.16 (avg. CY 2002 - CY 2006)

    Measure Target Value:

    0.16

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: <0.16 (avg. CY 2006 - CY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: Data is collected from reports of serious personal injuries and fatalities submitted by permitted mineral mine operators throughout the year and the reports of employee work hours reported by permitted mineral mine operators on their annual tonnage reports submitted to DMME. The rate is calculated as the number of serious personal injuries and fatalities per 200,000 work hours. DMME evaluates the five-year rolling average of this rate to determine the trend.

  • Percentage of safety violations on mineral mine sites successfully eliminated by the violations’ due dates.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    94.4

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 94.4% (avg. FY 2005 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    95

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=95% (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using information from DMME’s automated enforcement systems. Records of violations show date issued, target date for correcting the violation, and date the violation is corrected. The percentage is calculated based on total number of safety violations corrected by their due dates and of total safety violations issued.

• To eliminate adverse environmental conditions and public safety hazards at mineral mine sites.
  Objective Description
  This objective assures that we focus on protecting the environment and the safety of the public by eliminating adverse conditions at mineral mine sites. Protection of the public safety and the environment from the off-site effects of activities on mineral mine sites is of critical importance, including protecting against harm to people near the mines from such items as blasting, discharge of materials, and protecting against the deleterious effects mining may have on the environment. The DMME Division of Mineral Mining provides customer assistance, hazard identification, and inspection and enforcement of mine reclamation to meet this objective.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of mineral resources in an environmentally sound manner. The mineral mine reclamation program is mandated in Chapter 16 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. The uranium exploration regulatory program is mandated in Chapter 21 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources”, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources and to protect the public safety.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will provide assistance, inspections and investigations in a manner that is efficient, customer oriented and coordinated with other local, state and federal agencies.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will provide a timely and complete review of mine permit applications and amendments consistent with laws and regulations.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will use the complaint risk assessment process to identify public concerns. Information learned from the process will be used to: 1) identify high- and low-risk activities and operators; 2) identify model practices for communicating with the public; and 3) create and share information on successful practices with operators and the public.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will communicate with and provide assistance to county governments on issues related to mineral mining activities and monitor and evaluate waiver programs to ensure consistency with laws and regulations.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining (DMM) will assess all potential bond forfeiture sites and take actions to prevent bond forfeitures using customer and stakeholder involvement. DMM will maintain a bond forfeiture inventory.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will evaluate the current approaches to the control of the effects of blasting on the surrounding locale to determine the effectiveness of DMM blasting requirements.
  Objective Measures
  • Percentage of mineral mine sites with no adverse off-site environmental damage or public safety hazards.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    98.8

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 98.8% (avg. FY 2005 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    98

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=98% (avg. FY 2008 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using information from DMME's mineral mining automated enforcement system. Records of violations show whether there was any off-site damage or public safety hazard related to a violation of environmental laws or regulations. The number of sites with no violations causing off-site impacts is calculated as a percentage of permitted sites. The percentages for the most recent three years are then averaged.

  • Percentage of environmental violations on mineral mine sites successfully eliminated by the violations’ due dates.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    88.3

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 88.3% (avg. FY 2005 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    85

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >= 85% (FY 2007 - FY 2008)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using information from DMME's mineral mining automated mineral mining enforcement system. Records of violations show date issued, target date for eliminating the violation, and date the violation is eliminated. The total number of environmental violations eliminated by their due date is calculated as a percentage of total environmental violations issued.

• To eliminate environmental and public safety hazards associated with orphaned mineral mines and bond forfeiture sites.
  Objective Description
  This objective assures that we focus on eliminating environmental and public safety hazards in our programs related to orphaned mineral mines and bond forfeiture sites. Orphaned (abandoned and not reclaimed) mineral mine lands and permitted mine sites not properly reclaimed by the permit holder may cause water pollution from nonpoint source runoff or acid mine drainage. Abandoned mineral mines may cause public safety hazards from abandoned equipment, water-filled pits, unprotected highwalls, or other features. This objective directs DMME’s work to reclaim the highest priority orphaned mineral mine sites.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of mineral resources in an environmentally sound manner. Reclamation of orphaned and bond forfeiture mineral mines are mandated in Chapter 16 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. The uranium exploration regulatory program is mandated in Chapter 21 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources”, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources and to protect the public safety.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining, with the involvement of customers and stakeholders, will reclaim watershed restoration orphaned sites, bond forfeiture sites, and the highest priority orphaned mineral mine sites by using all available funds and resources. In addition DMM will pursue innovative methods and additional sources of funding to advance the elimination of adverse environmental and public health and safety hazards on orphaned and bond forfeited mineral mine sites.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will administer the nonpoint source (NPS) pollution control program for orphaned mineral mines and apply for additional funding to continue the NPS coordinator position.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will increase the watershed inventory of orphaned mineral mines and forfeited sites. The inventory, which includes existing or potential wetlands, carbon sequestration potential, and economic development site information for orphaned/forfeited mineral mines will be provided to all DMME divisions.
  Objective Measures
  • Percentage of orphaned mineral mine sites assessed with data entered into the orphaned mineral mine inventory.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    71.0

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 71.0% (FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    71

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >71.0% (FY 2009 - FY 2010; subject to available funding).

    Data Source and Calculation: DMME has estimated that there are 3,000 orphaned mineral mine sites based on historical records of mineral mining activity in the state. The total number of inventoried mineral mine sites is taken from the orphaned mined land information system. The percentage is calculated from these data.

  • Percentage of orphaned mineral mine sites on which safety and health hazards have been eliminated.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    3.1

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 3.1% (FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    3.1

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >3.1% (FY 2009 - FY 2010; subject to available funding).

    Data Source and Calculation: DMME has estimated that there are 3,000 orphaned mineral mine sites based on historical records of mineral mining activity in the state. The total number of reclaimed mineral mine sites is tracked by DMME staff after the final inspection of the reclamation work is completed. The percentage is calculated from these data.

• To improve our customers’ ability to establish and maintain efficient, viable operations.
  Objective Description
  This objective assures that we focus on assisting customers in a way that helps them improve their ability to establish and maintain efficient, viable operations. Activities under this objective are aimed at providing timely, effective and useful service to customers, involving customers and stakeholders in process improvement, and making timely permit decisions. DMME helps regulated entities establish and maintain economically viable operations that will be both profitable and operate safely and respectful of the environment. DMME works with its customers to implement process improvements to increase efficiency of interaction with DMME and provide mineral information needed for economic development.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of mineral resources to support a more productive economy. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources”, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources and to be a national leader in the preservation and enhancement of our economy.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will provide effective, timely, and useful assistance to customers through site visits, referrals, training, and consultative services, technology transfer, partnerships, or leveraging other resources.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will involve its customers and stakeholders in continually identifying, developing, and implementing process improvements to include e-government, regulatory guidance, electronic information/data distributions, and technical assistance. DMM will continue to expand e-Forms use by offering training assistance and additional incentives.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining in collaboration with the Division of Mines will assist operators in complying with the Federal MINER Act.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining (DMM) will make timely permit decisions on initial permit applications for mineral mines within 60 days and maintain the five-year rolling average above 95%. DMM will measure the effectiveness (usefulness, timeliness, quality, and ease of access) of assistance through the use of existing customer surveys (Freedom of Information Act, Field Inspection, and Permitting) and any newly developed surveys seeking a combined satisfaction rate of 90 percent or better. Emphasis will be placed on point-of-contact information gathering. DMM will encourage customers to submit forms electronically. The target is to increase electronic submittal to 75% of all forms submitted.
  Objective Measures
  • Percentage of timely decisions on new mineral mine permit applications.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    95.2

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 95.2% (avg. FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    95.2

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=95.2% (avg. FY 2006 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using permit-tracking data from DMME’s mineral mining database system. The number of permit decisions made within the time deadlines for the mineral mining permitting program (60 days of in-house time) is compared to total permit decisions due during the review period. These numbers are used to calculate the percentage of timely permit decisions. The percentage for the most recent five years is then averaged to generate the measure.

  • Percentage of customer forms submitted electronically.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    15.3

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 15.3% (FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    75

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: 75% (FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: The DMME Division of Mineral Mining counts the number of forms submitted from activity logs. The measure is calculated as a percentage of forms submitted electronically as compared to the estimate of the total number of forms submitted to the division.

• To improve our customers' and stakeholders’ capability to make informed decisions regarding the development and use of rock, mineral, land, water, and energy resources.
  Objective Description
  This objective assures that we focus on assisting our customers in ways that help them improve their capability to make informed decisions regarding the development of rock, mineral, land, water and energy resources. DMME provides its customers with information to help them have the knowledge needed to make decisions about their operations. This can take the form of providing information on mineral development opportunities, help permitted mine operators and economic development organizations develop mined land for beneficial land uses, and respond to emerging issues that may affect their operations.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of mineral resources to support a more productive economy. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources”, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources and to be a national leader in the preservation and enhancement of our economy.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will identify, prioritize, develop, and make available information that meets customers needs by: ·Continuing to develop new products. ·Expanding the number of products that are electronically available. ·Informing local officials of DMME capabilities and services. ·Assisting customers in their development of new markets.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining (DMM) will assist customers and stakeholders in the development of mineral resources and the reclamation of mined land for uses that will enhance economic development by: ·Collaborating with economic development organizations. ·Continuing to work with groups such as the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance (VTCA) to develop new products to address current issues. ·Coordinating with other divisions and agencies.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining (DMM), with assistance from the Office of Management Information Systems, will expand the number of products that are electronically available
  • DMME Division of Mineral Mining will continue to work with the Office of Public Information to participate in the Public Information and Education Work Group to address increasing public interest in energy and resources extraction activities. DMM will implement recommendations. In working with the Office of Public Information, DMM will identify information needs, opportunities and delivery methods to communicate the value of our agency’s services, products, and results
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will work with the DMME Division of Energy to promote energy conservation.
  • The DMME Division of Mineral Mining will identify emerging issues, such as Total Maximum Daily Load implementation, watershed restoration, uranium exploration, and solution mining, and work with its customers and stakeholders to address potential impacts.
  Objective Measures
  • Percentage of customers satisfied with DMME Division of Mineral Mining services.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    89.4

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 89.4% (avg. FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    90

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=90% (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: Data is derived from DMME Division of Mineral Mining’s customer surveys addressing satisfaction with DMME’s services in providing information, permitting, and field inspections. The number of customers expressing satisfaction or higher is counted as a percentage of total questionnaires received from customers.

• Factors Impacting the Products and/or Services:
  Customer assistance in this service area is expected to increase for the foreseeable future.
  
  • Customer assistance requests are expected to increase as high energy costs allow development of natural gas in new areas and as new companies start operations in Virginia. Gas and oil companies also will need additional assistance to comply with new gathering pipeline safety. DMME is also implementing a “Red Zone Area” safety program in its coal and gas and oil programs to increase the protection of persons from particularly hazardous areas on permitted sites.
  
  • Expansion of web-based electronic government capability will increase the efficiency of DMME permitting and licensing operations but will require additional resources to implement. For example, gas and oil operators will increasingly want to use electronic maps and well logs.
  
  • Increased availability of digitized underground mine maps, and gas and oil well and pipeline locations will allow coal mine permits and plans to better account for the presence of the gas wells and result in a safer mining environment. Permitting services will have to expand to account for the availability of this information.
  
  • Permitting of new gas and oil sites will become more difficult due to conflict with other land uses as gas well and pipeline sites move closer to built-up areas and if well drilling densities increase. This will increase the likelihood of litigated issue hearings and court challenges to permit decisions.
  
  • A recent Virginia Supreme Court decision clarified ownership of coalbed methane gas when surface owners, coal owners, and natural gas owners each believe they own the coalbed methane gas. DMME (and the Virginia Gas and Oil Board) will see increased numbers of requests to release funds out of escrow that have been held in cases of conflicting claims to ownership of the coalbed methane gas. This fund currently has a balance of over $10 million.
  
  • Past reductions in DMME’s budgets have caused the agency to increasingly rely on permit and license revenue. DMME will spend down fund balances from these sources in the coming biennium and will need additional general fund support to maintain current levels of service.
  
  • DMME will need to replace a significant proportion of its workforce in the near future. This will eliminate a significant amount of the institutional knowledge that helps DMME understand and face the challenges of providing high quality customer service. DMME will be faced with increasing difficulty in finding these high quality workers at state salary rates as mining and other energy industries have substantially increased the amount they pay employees to combat their labor shortages.
• Anticipated Changes to the Products and/or Services
  The demand for DMME's customer services are anticipated to increase as the gas and oil industry faces continuing business challenges and as energy costs remain high.
  
  • Permitting and plan review services will grow as gas and oil operators take advantage of high energy prices by drilling additional gas wells.
  
  • DMME will need to expand electronic government services to meet increasing expectations of gas and oil operators.
  
  • Permitting services will need to expand to account for the expanded digital mapping of underground coal mines, and gas and oil wells and pipelines.
  
  • DMME will need to expand its accounting for worker safety on gas and oil sites to account for risks of off-site safety impacts and implementation of “Red Zone” safety areas.
  
  • In response to a recent Virginia Supreme Court decision addressing ownership of coalbed methane gas, there will be increased demand for payments of escrowed funds in cases where there were conflicting claims to ownership of the coalbed methane gas.
  
  • The increased drilling activity near built-up areas will increase DMME’s work to respond to complaints, answer questions, hear objections to well permit applications (informal and formal litigated issues hearings), and respond to appeals of department decisions.
  
  • DMME will face a greater risk of losing employees to mineral extraction operators as these companies increase their salaries to respond to their labor shortages. We will also be faced with increasing difficulty attracting the same level of experienced employees at current state salaries.
• Listing of Products and/or Services
  • Customer assistance • Training, technical assistance, education, hazard identification, and cooperative projects – in such areas as worker safety, environmental protection and land reclamation during gas and oil operations. This helps customers maintain safe and environmentally protective extraction sites in compliance with regulatory requirements. • Information about production and revenue to persons owning gas and oil resources, or those whom claim ownership of contested coalbed methane proceeds held in escrow. • Information on the natural gas and oil resources and related geology in Virginia to companies wishing to develop the state’s gas and oil resources.
  • Inspection and enforcement • Thorough and consistent inspection and enforcement of laws and regulations addressing operational and reclamation environmental controls and worker safety on gas and oil sites. Assessing company and individual responsibility and liability as appropriate. Investigate accidents and complaints. Note that DMME is not the primary agency with worker safety jurisdiction on gas and oil sites. DMME may shut down equipment or operations if it finds an imminent danger to persons, but works with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (the agency with primary jurisdiction) on other worker safety issues. Appeals to DMME enforcement actions are taken to the Virginia Gas and Oil Board. • Inspection and enforcement services assist customers to maintain safe and environmentally protective mineral extraction sites in compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Permitting • Permit and plan review and approval, financial bonding, coordination with other agencies’ regulatory requirements. • Permitting and plan review services ensure gas and oil operations can be conducted safely and protective of the environment (operations, well plugging, land reclamation) and be in compliance with governing laws and regulations.
  • Regulatory development • Establishing minimum operational and reclamation requirements consistent with governing laws for gas and oil operations. DMME is the regulatory authority for environmental controls on gas and oil operations. The Virginia Gas and Oil Board promulgates regulations governing protection of gas or oil owners’ correlative rights (rights related to ownership interest in gas or oil around a well location). • Regulatory services ensure the legal standards governing gas and oil operations will result in safe and environmentally protective operations while establishing the minimum required intrusion in permitted operations. The services also ensure that gas and oil owners receive their proportional share of income from sale of gas and oil from wells near their property.
  • Land reclamation • Plugging of orphaned (abandoned and not plugged) gas and oil wells, reclamation of gas and oil lands and bond forfeiture sites. Funds for the land reclamation activities come from the Orphaned Well Fund, performance bonds posted by gas and oil operators, or the Gas and Oil Plugging and Restoration Fund when bond proceeds are insufficient. • Plugging and land reclamation services correct damage and mitigate risks of future damage from improperly plugged wells and unreclaimed gas and oil well and pipeline sites.
  • Correlative rights protection • Virginia Gas and Oil Board issues orders pooling the ownership interests of owners of gas and oil in the area around gas and oil wells (correlative rights) to ensure all owners receive compensation for the gas and oil resources they own. • The identity of some gas and oil owners may not be known or the owners may not be locatable from available records due to heirships or other unregistered transfer of title. In other cases, there may be a conflict among potential owners of coalbed methane (surface owner, gas owner, coal owner). In these cases, the Gas and Oil Board provides for establishment of or manages escrow accounts to hold the proceeds from gas or oil development until the proper owner is found or determined. • Protects ownership interest of persons owning gas or oil rights, ensuring that the proper owners will receive the proceeds from sales of produced gas or oil.

• To eliminate dangers to workers on gas and oil operations.
  Objective Description
  This objective assures that DMME focuses on protecting workers at oil and gas operations. Protection of worker and public safety from the dangers on gas and oil sites is of critical importance to ensure the safety of Virginians working on or living near the sites. Dangers may be present due to unsafe conditions or improper actions by workers. The DMME Division of Gas and Oil works with the Department of Labor and Industry’s Virginia Occupational Health and Safety program to help operators maintain safe operations.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of energy resources in a safe manner. The gas and oil safety program is mandated in § 45.1-361.42, in Chapter 22.1 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia, known as the Virginia Gas and Oil Act. This authorizes DMME to inspect coalbed methane operations and close down areas with an imminent danger to ensure the safety of persons on permitted sites. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 1, “Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction:, and with the long-term objectives of protecting the public safety and protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Gas and Oil (DGO) will conduct inspections, using established worker safety guidelines, to eliminate imminent dangers and unsafe practices and conditions.
  • DGO will provide assistance to ensure compliance and continually refine the established guidelines for consistent inspection of safety conditions and practices of gas and oil operations.
  • DGO will investigate incidents and complaints, seeking assistance as needed from other Divisions within DMME, and take actions to prevent future occurrences of unsafe practices and conditions.
  • DGO will collaborate and communicate on safety issues involving mining and gas well activities by: ·Maintaining comprehensive automated mapping of DGO gas well data. ·Communicating with the Divisions of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR) and Mines (DM) on issues of mutual concern related to mining and gas well activities in order to establish procedures for review and evaluation of gas well and pipeline locations, sharing of information, and development of an accurate data bank. ·Working with DMLR and DM to communicate emerging safety issues.
  Objective Measures
  • Percentage of inspections finding unsafe acts on permitted gas and oil operations.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Down

    Measure Baseline Value:

    1.7

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 1.7% (average FY 2005 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    2

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: <= 2% (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: Data is collected from inspection reports completed by DMME Division of Gas and Oil inspectors. The total number of unsafe acts identified during inspections is divided by the total number of inspections to calculate a percentage.

• To eliminate adverse environmental conditions and public safety hazards resulting from gas and oil operations.
  Objective Description
  Protection of the public safety and the environment from the off-site effects of activities on gas and oil sites is of critical importance in such areas as controlling runoff and sedimentation from sites; protecting groundwater quality; protecting from unmanaged discharges of gas, oil, or other fluids from wells or sites; and avoiding contamination or interruption of domestic water supplies from actions on coalbed methane sites. The DMME Division of Gas and Oil provides customer assistance, hazard identification, and inspection and enforcement of gas operations to meet this objective.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of energy resources in an environmentally sound manner. The gas and oil regulatory program is mandated in Articles 3 and 4 of Chapter 22.1 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. These articles establish minimum environmental protection requirements for operation and reclamation of gas and oil exploration and production sites and gathering pipelines in Virginia. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources", and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources and to protect the public’s safety.
  Objective Strategies
  • DGO will provide consistent enforcement of law and regulations, maintain quality inspections on regulated sites at required frequency, and perform joint inspections as necessary. Assistance and inspections will be coordinated among DMME Divisions and other local, state, and federal agencies.
  • DGO will continue to investigate public safety, health and environmental issues, concerns, and complaints.
  • DGO will review the Inspection Priority Policy and make changes as necessary.
  • DGO will develop and maintain an accessible prioritized list of orphaned and forfeited sites and continue plugging and reclaiming as funding allows. If a site is deemed hazardous, it will be plugged and reclaimed.
  • DGO will provide technical assistance to customers and stakeholders on significant emerging issues.
  • DGO will pursue methods, such as external funding, partnerships, leveraging, and cooperating with state and federal projects, to eliminate adverse environmental and public health and safety conditions.
  • DGO will continue to require the plugging of abandoned gas and oil wells, monitor operators’ plans for plugging, review records of plugging and abandonment of wells, and encourage the release of permits if applicable.
  Objective Measures
  • Percentage of gas and oil sites with no adverse off-site environmental damage or public safety hazards.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    99.9

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 99.9% (avg. FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    99

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=99% (avg. FY 2006 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using information from DMME’s gas and oil automated enforcement system. Records of violations show whether there was any off-site damage or public safety hazard related to a violation of the Virginia Gas and Oil Act or the department’s gas and oil regulations. The number of sites with no violations causing off-site impacts is calculated as a percentage of permitted gas and oil sites. The percentages for the most recent five years are then averaged.

  • Percentage of environmental violations successfully eliminated by the violations' due dates.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    73.9

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 73.9% (avg. FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    75

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=75% (avg. FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using information from DMME’s automated gas and oil enforcement system. Records of violations show the date issued, target date for eliminating the violation, and date the violation is eliminated. The number of environmental violations eliminated by their due dates is divided by the number of environmental violations issued, and then calculated as a percentage. The percentages for the most recent five years are then averaged.

• To improve our customers’ ability to establish and maintain efficient, viable operations.
  Objective Description
  DMME helps regulated gas and oil operations establish and maintain economically viable operations that will be both profitable and operate safely and respectful of the environment. DMME works with its customers to implement process improvements to increase efficiency of interaction with DMME and provide gas and oil resource information needed for growth of the state’s gas and oil exploration and production industry.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of energy resources to support a more productive economy. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources:, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources.
  Objective Strategies
  • DGO will involve its customers in identifying areas for improvement through site visits, referrals, training, consultations, meetings, technology transfer, partnerships, and leveraging other resources more effectively.
  • DGO will process, review, and comment on all permit applications within 30 days of receipt of application.
  • DGO will involve its customers and stakeholders in continually identifying, developing, and implementing process improvements such as electronic submittal of regulatory information so that services are provided in the least costly and burdensome manner.
  • DGO will contact state and federal agencies and customers to explore opportunities for: ·Coordination of shared regulatory authority. ·Coordination of available resources. ·Review of current and anticipated issues and impacts to agencies and customers.
  Objective Measures
  • Percentage of forms submitted electronically by customers.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 31.3% (average FY 2005 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    Date:

    Measure Target Description: >=75% (FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: The DMME Division of Gas and Oil counts the number of electronic form submissions using activity logs. This measure is calculated as a percentage of the number of forms submitted electronically as compared to the total number of forms submitted by DMME’s gas and oil customers.

  • Percentage of timely decisions on new permit applications.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    98.5

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 98.5% (avg. FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    98

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=98% (avg. FY 2006 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using permit tracking-data from the department’s gas and oil regulatory database system. The number of permit decisions made within 30 days of receipt of a complete application is compared to the total number of permit decisions due during the review period. The numbers are used to calculate the percentage of timely permit decisions. The percentages for the most recent five years are then averaged.

• To improve the quality of information and data provided to customers for the expansion of knowledge of Virginia’s resources.
  Objective Description
  DMME provides its customers with information to help them have the knowledge needed to make decisions about their operations. This can take the form of providing information on such items as gas and oil production or locations of wells and pipelines; coordinating DMME regulatory coverage with other agencies; and responding to emerging issues. DMME provides this information through a variety of forms, both digitally and in paper form, as is needed by its customers.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of energy resources to support a more productive economy. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources:, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources.
  Objective Strategies
  • DGO will provide customers with current gas and oil data and information.
  • DGO, in collaboration with the DMME Office of Management Information Systems (OMIS), will continue to evaluate and improve its web-based delivery of gas and oil-related customer services.
  • DGO will work with the DMME Office of Public Information to finalize an informational/educational initiative, as well as a section on DGO’s website to include subjects such as: ·General gas and oil information. ·Permitting processes. ·Virginia Gas and Oil Board (VGOB) information.
  • DGO will seek opportunities to partner with stakeholders to develop mined land for economic development such as reclassifying post-mined land use for gas and oil sites.
  • DGO, in collaboration with OMIS, will continue to develop gathering pipeline data for use with DMME’s mapping systems and coordination with the State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) pipeline safety program.
  • DGO will provide assistance to the DMME Division of Energy (DE) as requested.
  • DGO will identify emerging issues, such as Total Maximum Daily Loads, protected species, offshore drilling, timbering, and SCC pipeline safety requirements. DGO will work with its customers to address potential impacts.
  Objective Measures
  • Percent timely responses to customers' requests for gas and oil information.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Maintain

    Measure Baseline Value:

    100

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 100% (avg. FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    100

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: 100% (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: The DMME Division of Gas and Oil measures the percentage of responses to public requests for gas and oil information made within 7 days. Data is taken from logs kept by the DMME Division of Gas and Oil.

• To provide effective and efficient services to the Virginia Gas and Oil Board and the Board’s customers.
  Objective Description
  The DMME Division of Gas and Oil serves as staff to the Virginia Gas and Oil Board and provides support to persons whose property interest is affected by Virginia Gas and Oil Board decisions. The Division will ensure that Board members receive timely materials for Board meetings, Board orders are timely filed, and information on funds escrowed or other Board action is available on a timely basis to customers.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of energy resources to support a more productive economy. The Virginia Gas and Oil Board’s activities are mandated in Article 2 of Chapter 22.1 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources:, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources and to protect the public’s safety.
  Objective Strategies
  • DGO will provide support to the Virginia Oil and Gas Board.
  • DGO will dedicate two (2) to three (3) days per month to matters that are exclusive to the Board.
  • DGO will explore the use of temporary employees, job exchange, and/or interns to address the VGOB order backlog.
  • DGO will monitor submission of orders, fund deposits, and other Board requirements to ensure compliance.
  Objective Measures
  • Percent timely recordation and distribution of Virginia Gas and Oil Board orders.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Maintain

    Measure Baseline Value:

    100

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 100% (avg. FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    100

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: 100% (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: The DMME Division of Gas and Oil tracks the date Board orders are signed by the Board Chairman and the date the orders are filed in local Circuit Court offices. The number of orders filed within five working days is compared to the total number of Board orders filed and calculated as a percentage.

• Factors Impacting the Products and/or Services:
  The relative stability in the number of inspectable units in the last several years indicates that the surface mining industry served by this service area is stable, with new mines being permitted at a rate approximately equal to the rate of existing mines closing. Therefore, services such as inspection and enforcement, certification, and permitting are likely to remain active at approximately current levels.
  Land reclamation of abandoned coal mine sites is dependent upon available federal funding. The potential exists for increased levels of federal funding beginning in federal fiscal year 2008. Available amounts are projected to increase by nearly 70% over current levels by 2010. Therefore, the agency's efforts in reclaiming abandoned coal mine sites is likely to increase substantially during the 2008-2010 biennium.
  The planned construction of the Coalfields Expressway will create greater demand for mapping services, such as providing the locations of abandoned mines and coal deposits.
  
  • Customer assistance requests are expected to increase as energy costs remain high. Operators will want assistance offsetting higher costs for their energy supplies. Continued high energy costs will allow increased development of coal resources. Mineral extraction companies will need additional assistance to comply with new water quality requirements necessary for total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plans. DMME may need to increase reclamation of abandoned coal mines causing water pollution to reduce pollution in streams. This will allow new mines to be opened while reaching the water quality improvement goals in the streams.
  
  • Implementation of new permitting requirements by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers due to mountaintop mining controversies will require increased permitting coordination between DMME and other state and federal agencies.
  
  • Coal mine operators are required to complete ground control plans under the 2005 amendments to the Virginia Coal Mine Safety Act. As part of these plans, operators must designate and take special precautions around “Red Zones”, or areas where there are increased risks from ground-control failures. These plans must be approved by DMME.
  
  • Increased availability of digitized underground mine maps will allow mine permits and plans to better account for the presence of the old mine works, resulting in a safer mining environment. Permitting services will have to expand to account for the availability of this information.
  
  • Permitting of new mineral extraction sites will become more difficult as surface coal mining sites move closer to built-up areas (due to the limited areas of remaining coal reserves) and sprawl reaches areas where mines are located. This will increase the likelihood of litigated issue hearings and court challenges to permit decisions as well as protests against coal mining.
• Anticipated Changes to the Products and/or Services
  The demand for DMME's customer services is anticipated to increase as the mineral extraction industry faces continuing business challenges and as energy costs remain high.
  
  • Permitting and plan review services will grow as mineral extraction operators take advantage of high energy prices by opening new or reopening idled coal mines.
  
  • Abandoned mined land reclamation services will increase in response to TMDL implementation plan needs.
  
  • More DMME permitting time will be required for increased coordination of new permitting requirements implemented in response to mountaintop mining controversies and implementation of improved ground control plans on surface coal mines. More permitting time also will be required to respond to controversies caused by mines being located closer to built-up areas
  
  • More DMME permitting time will be required to account for the increased availability of digitized underground mine maps.
  
  • Development of the Coalfield Expressway will increase DMME’s plan review and inspection activity without any corresponding increase in permit fee revenue. This also will increase requests for DMME’s support of economic development activities as the new highway opens new areas for industrial, commercial, and residential development.
  
  • DMME anticipates losing more employees to mine operators as these companies increase their salaries to respond to their labor shortages. This will cause increased severance and recruitment costs for the agency. DMME will also be faced with increasing difficulty attracting experienced employees under the state salary schedule.
• Listing of Products and/or Services
  • Customer assistance • Risk assessment, hazard identification, technical assistance, education, and cooperative projects to enhance environmental protection and land reclamation during coal extraction. • Customer assistance services assist customers to maintain safe and environmentally protective coal mines in compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Inspection and enforcement • Thorough and consistent inspection and enforcement of laws and regulations addressing operational and reclamation environmental controls, and water quality on coal mines. Investigate accidents and complaints. Civil penalty assessment. • Inspection and enforcement services assist customers to maintain safe and environmentally protective coal mines in compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Certification • Certification of persons performing blasting on surface coal mines. • Certification services assure workers performing surface coal mine blasting are qualified to perform these tasks.
  • Permitting • Permit and plan review and approval, financial bonding, coordination with other agencies’ regulatory requirements. • Permitting and plan review services ensure coal mining operations can be conducted safely and protective of the environment (operations, land reclamation, water quality) and in compliance with coal operation and reclamation laws and regulations.
  • Regulatory development • Establishing minimum operational and reclamation requirements consistent with governing laws for coal mining operations. • Regulatory services ensure the legal standards governing coal mining operations will result in safe and environmentally protective operations while establishing the minimum required intrusion in permitted operations.
  • Land reclamation • Reclamation of abandoned coal mine land and bond forfeiture sites; replacement of water supplies damaged from historic coal mining operations; emergency reclamation of imminent dangers caused from abandoned mine land; and restoration of streams damaged by acid mine drainage and sedimentation. • Land reclamation services correct damage and mitigate risks of future damage from improperly reclaimed coal mined lands.
  • Economic development • Providing mapping and information in support of economic development (site geology, mineral availability, sources of water, and similar information). • Economic development services support efforts to increase jobs and economic activity in Southwest Virginia.

• To eliminate adverse environmental impacts and unsafe conditions related to permitted coal mine sites.
  Objective Description
  This objective is intended to protect the public and the environment from offsite impacts of permitted coal mine sites. Protection of the public safety and the environment from the off-site effects of activities on coal mine sites is of critical importance in such areas as blasting, discharge of materials from the site, and protecting against the deleterious effects mining may have on the environment. DMME provides customer assistance, hazard identification, and inspection and enforcement of mine operational and reclamation requirements to meet this objective.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of energy resources in an environmentally sound manner. The coal surface mining reclamation program is mandated in Chapters 19 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia, known as the Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (Virginia CSMCRA). This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources”, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources and to protect the public’s safety.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will provide consistent, thorough inspections and assistance to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation, with appropriate agencies, will conduct site visits and review and approve permit applications that are environmentally sound and meet regulatory requirements by: ·Expanding contacts with other agencies including Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality regarding the Commonwealth’s Water Protection General Permit and Individual Permit program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USCOE) regarding coordination of permitting and mitigation requirements, the U.S. Office of Surface Mining (OSM) regarding new and existing work groups, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding coordination of Underground Injection Control. ·Resolving regulatory conflicts with OSM and USCOE for stream restoration/mitigation. ·Utilizing regulatory work group and Administrative Process Act to address needed regulatory changes, (stream restoration standards, self-bonding - similar to federal standards for cost bond).
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will review and approve emergency action, preparedness, and response plans, including: ·Spill prevention plans on sites such as slurry impoundments/slurry injection. ·Assisting the DMME Division of Mines in implementing coal mine emergency response plans for all underground mines and in providing assistance to operations in achieving compliance with other provisions of the Federal Miner Act.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation, collaborating seamlessly, will investigate health, safety, and environmental issues, concerns, and complaints in a timely manner and assist the DMME Division of Mines and other agencies with reviews and inspections of customers’ emergency action, preparedness, and response plans.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will continue to work with other agencies, customers, and stakeholders on the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) and ensure permits are issued consistent with approved TMDL by: ·Developing procedures for applications to mine within TMDL watersheds, including: ·Trading ·Best Management Practices ·Continuing to work with the Office of Management Information Services in the development of software tools to perform TMDL reviews. ·Determining Total Dissolved Solids load in the affected watersheds. ·Surveying customers to update Abandoned Mine Land inventories, procedures, etc. ·TMDL team.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will develop and implement guidance for permitting underground slurry injection operations through: · Review procedures for slurry injection applications. · Geographic Information System tracking system for mine works where slurry is emplaced. · A database to track slurry injection monitoring data.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will promote reforestation/ carbon sequestration post mining land uses by: · Coordinating division activities regarding reforestation. · Coordinating with the U. S. Office of Surface Mining on the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will provide and partner with other providers of training programs and services and will participate with other entities in activities, such as: ·Public outreach (brochures, schools, etc.). ·Appalachian Regional Technology Transfer Team training events. ·Workshops. ·Permit Enhancement Work Group meetings. ·Guidance Memorandums.
  Objective Measures
  • Percentage of coal mine sites with no adverse off-site environmental damage or public safety hazards.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    95.3

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 95.3% (avg. FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    95

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=95% (avg. FY 2006 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using information from DMME’s coal reclamation automated enforcement system. Records of violations show if there is any off-site damage or public safety hazard related to violations of reclamation laws or regulations. The number of sites with no violations causing off-site damage is calculated as a percentage of total permitted sites. The percentages for the most recent five years are then averaged.

  • Percentage of environmental violations on coal mine sites successfully eliminated by the violations' due dates.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    85.4

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 85.4% (avg. FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    85

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >= 85% (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using information from DMME’s coal reclamation automated enforcement system. Records of violations show the date the violation is issued, the target date for eliminating the violation, and the date the violation was eliminated. The number of environmental violations eliminated by their due dates is calculated as a percentage of total environmental violations issued.

• To eliminate public safety hazards and adverse environmental conditions from abandoned coal sites.
  Objective Description
  This objective is intended to protect the public and the environment from impacts of abandoned coal mine sites. Abandoned coal mine lands left unreclaimed, or permitted coal mine sites not properly reclaimed by the permit holder, may cause water pollution from non point source runoff or acid mine drainage. Abandoned mines may cause public safety hazards from abandoned equipment, water-filled pits, unprotected highwalls, open mine portals, possible blowouts of trapped water, or other problems. This objective directs DMME to work to reclaim the highest priority abandoned coal mine sites and replace water supplies damaged by historic coal mining.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Provide for safe and environmentally sound mineral and fossil fuel extraction.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of energy resources in an environmentally sound manner. The coal Abandoned Mined land program is mandated in Article 4 of Chapters 19 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia, known as the Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (Virginia CSMCRA). This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources”, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources and to protect the public’s safety.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will utilize available resources to: ·Abate hazards on Abandoned Mine Land (AML) emergency sites. ·Abate hazards on high priority AML and post-act sites. ·Reclaim and release bond forfeiture sites. ·Assist in the development of public water supply systems in the Southwest Virginia coalfields.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will utilize available resources to investigate and take appropriate action on all issues, concerns, and complaints related to abandoned mine land and bond forfeiture sites, to include contractors’ emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR) will maintain and update an inventory of sites needing reclamation, to include acid mine drainage sites, abandoned mine land, and sites whose reclamation will enhance Total Maximum Daily Loads implementation plans or carbon sequestration by: ·Outreach to corporate land/mineral owners and industry. ·Use of technical advances in remote sensing. ·Outsourcing/contracting inventory updating. ·Expanded use of DMLR mapping resources.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will form an inter-sectional work team to plan for expenditure of Abandoned Mine Land funds including: ·Innovative procurement and project selection. ·Use of typical designs. ·Consideration of workloads. ·Benchmarking. ·Quarterly reporting to management.
  Objective Measures
  • Funds added to Virginia's Abandoned Mined Land program through partnerships annually.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    45000

    Date:

    6/30/2005

    Measure Baseline Description: $45,000 (FY 2005)

    Measure Target Value:

    45000

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >= $45,000 (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: The amount of non-AML program funds included in partnership and leveraging agreements is totaled for each year.

• To improve our customers’ ability to establish and maintain efficient, viable operations.
  Objective Description
  This objective is intended to assist our customers in developing and maintaining successful businesses, while complying with applicable laws, regulations, and standards. DMME works with its customers to implement process improvements to increase efficiency of interaction with DMME and provide coal mining related information needed for economic development.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of energy resources in an environmentally sound manner. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources”, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources and to protect the public’s safety.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR) will involve its customers in identifying areas for service improvements and provide effective, timely, and useful assistance to its customers through site visits, referrals, training, consultative services, technology transfer, partnerships, and leveraging other resources. This will include ongoing review of DMLR permit procedures via DMLR Permit Enhancement Work Group.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will develop more proactive bonding and bond release procedures through the Permit Enhancement Work Group. ·Promote incremental bonding. ·Develop more proactive bond release.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will involve its customers and stakeholders in continually identifying, developing, and implementing process improvements to include e-government, regulatory guidance, electronic information/data distributions, technical assistance, and digital signatures.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR) will work with federal agencies, coal mine operators, utilities, landowners, public-private partnerships, and community interests to expand land reclamation and development through remining by promoting reclamation and partnership opportunities through DMME’s web pages, e-mails, personal contacts, referrals, and newsletters, and utilizing appropriate DMLR staff in the permit review process.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will assist with awards programs of the Virginia Mining Association, Office of Surface Mining, Interstate Mining Compact Commission, Abandoned Mine Land, National Association of State Land Reclamationists, and others to identify and promote best practices in remining.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR) will expand coordination activities with appropriate state and federal agencies through methods such as: ·Interagency workshop meetings with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Surface Mining (OSM), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, etc. to develop coordinated/ joint permit reviews. ·Seek a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Environmental Quality for Virginia Water Protection General Permit actions, anti-degradation, etc. ·Regular meetings with state and federal agencies to discuss common issues; example, the DMLR/OSM quarterly meetings. · Drafting conservation measures as required by 1996 Biological Opinion on Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and Endangered Species Act.
  Objective Measures
  • Percentage of timely decisions on new coal mine permit applications.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    88.8

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 88.8% (avg. FY 2003 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    90

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >= 90% (avg. FY 2006 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: This measure is calculated using permit-tracking data from DMME’s coal mine regulatory database system. The number of permit decisions made within 60 working days permit review time is compared to the total number of permit decisions made. The number is calculated as a percentage. The percentages are then averaged over the most recent five years.

  • Percentage of customer forms submitted electronically.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 87.0% (avg. FY 2004 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    Date:

    Measure Target Description: >=85% (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation counts the number of form submittals from activity logs. The measure is calculated as a percentage of the forms submitted electronically as compared to the estimate of the total number of forms submitted to the Division.

• To expand economic development opportunities in the coalfield region.
  Objective Description
  This objective is intended to improve the economic environment of the coalfield region of southwest Virginia through collaboration with localites, customers, and other stakeholders. DMME will support use of reclaimed coal mine lands for industrial, commercial, and residential uses through approving post-mining land uses for economic development and partnering with outside organizations to develop economic uses for mined lands.
  Alignment to Agency Goals
  • Agency Goal: Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources.
    Comment: This objective is consistent with DMME’s mission of enhancing the development of energy resources in an environmentally sound manner. This objective aligns with DMME’s strategic direction under goal 2, “Encourage economic development through our customers’ wise management of Virginia’s energy, mineral, land, and water resources”, and with the long-term objectives of Virginia to protect, conserve, and wisely develop our natural resources and to be a national leader in the preservation and enhancement of our economy.
  Objective Strategies
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR) will collaborate with economic development organizations, customers, and other stakeholders to enhance economic development, while focusing on projects such as: ·Industrial parks. ·Placement of coal combustion by-products. ·Highway construction. ·Utility construction ·Coal to liquid. ·Coal waste-to-energy.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR), with assistance from the Office of Management Information Systems, will expand the number of products/services that are electronically available.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation will seek or respond to opportunities to partner with stakeholders to develop mined land for economic development and other beneficial land uses, such as: ·Remining initiatives. ·Experimental practices. ·Abandoned Mine Land enhancement. ·Wetland banking. ·Carbon sequestration. ·Recreational, commercial, industrial, residential development. ·Governmental projects. ·Transportation infrastructure projects. ·Tourism. ·No cost agreements.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR) will identify emerging issues, such as Total Maximum Daily Loads waste load allocations, mining-related litigation, logging, gas wells/lines and consolidated Federal coal permitting. The DMLR will work with its customers to address potential impacts from these issues.
  • The DMME Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR), in collaboration with the Office of Public Information, will identify information needs, opportunities, and delivery methods to communicate the value of our agency’s services, products, and results.
  Objective Measures
  • Number of people employed as a result of reclamation construction projects.
    Measure Class:

    Other

    Measure Type:

    Outcome

    Measure Frequency:

    Semi-Annual

    Preferred Trend:

    Up

    Measure Baseline Value:

    132

    Date:

    Measure Baseline Description: 132 (avg. FY 2004 - FY 2007)

    Measure Target Value:

    100

    Date:

    6/30/2010

    Measure Target Description: >=100 (FY 2009 - FY 2010)

    Data Source and Calculation: The DMME collects quarterly employment statistics directly from contractors completing abandoned mined land construction projects. Quarterly data are summed to provide six-month figure.