The Choctaw Nation Surface Mining Program protects Choctaw Nation’s lands, resources, and communities from the impacts of coal mining. The program closely collaborates with the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), which funds the reclamation of damages from pre-1977 mining. While the Choctaw Nation does not currently maintain regulatory authority over these matters, it actively consults with the OSMRE team to address environmental and safety concerns within its borders.
Tribal members impacted by suspected subsistence issues in Coal, Hughes, Pittsburg, Latimer, Haskell, and LeFlore County are encouraged to report their concerns.