What is the primary agency responsible for regulating surface mining in Kentucky?

The primary agency responsible for regulating surface mining in Kentucky is the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources. This agency oversees a variety of natural resource management activities, including mining operations, ensuring that mining practices comply with state laws and regulations aimed at protecting the environment and public health.

The Kentucky Department for Natural Resources plays a critical role in enforcing mining regulations, issuing permits, and monitoring compliance with environmental standards. This includes overseeing reclamation efforts to restore land after mining activities, implementing best practices to minimize environmental impacts, and ensuring the safety of mining operations.

While other agencies may also have roles related to aspects of mining—such as the Environmental Protection Agency, which focuses on broader environmental issues, or the Kentucky Division of Mining, which is involved in the technical aspects of mining regulation—none are primarily responsible for overall regulation in the same way as the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources. The Kentucky Geological Survey is primarily concerned with geological research and does not focus on regulating mining activities.