The division provides for the safe and environmentally sound development and restoration of mineral and fossil fuel extraction sites.
Its programs address the environmental and safety aspects of coal and mineral mining and oil and gas extraction.
The division also plugs abandoned oil and gas wells and restores abandoned mine land, enforces mining safety laws, ensures protection of freshwater resources, and maintains a database of oil and gas well owners.
Expertise is provided by a professional staff of geologists, environmental specialists, engineers, blasting specialists, soils scientists, hydrologists, archaeologists, and hydrogeologists.
Funding for programs comes from severance taxes on coal, minerals, oil and gas; federal grants; general revenue funds; fees; fines; bonds and reimbursements.