The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain the major policy issues and problems dealing with coal strip mining and the conservation and preservation of land for agricultural use. The main points to be covered will be: ( 1) the extent that land should be reserved, for agricultural use and stripping prohibited; (2) the condition and use of affected lands and extent or reclamation required; (3) a brief legal history of reclamation efforts. (4) reclamation of earlier mined lands that are not productively being used; and (5) effects upon communities and public revenues from affected land.