Land Quality Division

Guidelines

This tab contains the Land Quality Division's "Guidelines" for coal and non-coal operations.  The following is a break down of which Guidelines apply to what type of operations (coal, non-coal or both):

  • Coal Operations: Guidelines 6A, 6AR, 9, 13, 14, 18, 20-23 and 25;
  • Non-coal Operations: Guidelines 2, 4, 6, 12A, 16 and 19; and 
  • Both Coal and Non-coal Operations: Guidelines 1, 1A, 3, 5, 8, 10-12, 15, 17 and 24.

Guidelines are based upon applicable provisions of the Environmental Quality Act, LQD Regulations and they contain statements of LQD policy and preferred procedures.  Except for specifically referenced statutory provisions and regulations guidelines are not subject to rulemaking procedures and are therefore not to be interpreted as regulatory requirements.  The documents below are guidelines only and should not be interpreted by permittees, interested parties, DEQ/LQD staff or other local, state or Federal governmental agencies as mandatory.

**  Please note that Guideline 1 is currently under revision but the information regarding overburden remains applicable until the completion of Guideline 1B.  Sections regarding topsoil and subsoil have been superseded by Guideline 1A and the information contained in Guideline 1 should be disregarded for those sections.  Guideline 1A may be viewed below.  

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MOUs

If the download box is not working below, please click here.

Standard Operating Procedures

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Enforcement Actions

Rules and Regulations

All official Wyoming State Rules and Regulations are kept at the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office. Click here to view all current Rules and Regulations. 

 

Land Quality Division

The Land Quality Division works to ensure that any land disturbances resulting from mining are minimal, and that affected areas are properly remediated once mining is complete.

The LQD has the authority to require permitting and licensing of all operator actions of surface and underground mine facilities. This authority is derived from the Federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, as well as the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act. 

Whether you need information about statutes, regulations, permitting, or licensing of all operator actions related to surface or underground mine facilities, we can help you through the process. Navigate through the various Division pages – and the Resources tab – on the left-hand side of this page to locate more specific information.  

We also coordinate with the federal Office of Surface Mining and its Western Region office to provide recognition for award-winning reclamation projects.

Click here for the Land Quality Interactive Map that contains location and information about active permitted mining operations.