The Beginning The Interstate Mining Compact Commission had it’s beginnings in 1964 when the Council of State Governments sponsored a conference on surface mining attended by state and federal legislative officials, mining industry representatives, and conservationists. The Compact was formally established in April of 1971 with its first 4 member states. Since that time IMCC has grown to 24 full member states and 2 associate member states.
In August of 1988, the Commission's offices were moved to the Northern Virginia Suburbs of Washington, D.C., coincident with the hiring of its second Executive Director.
What is a Compact? An Interstate Compact is both a statute and a contract among its member states. Compacts that are recommendatory in nature and do not affect the political balance within the federal system, or affect a power delegated to the national government, do not require congressional consent. IMCC is such a compact.
Structure of IMCC Member state Governors serve as the IMCC commissioners. Governors then appoint an official representative. These representatives or their duly appointed alternate state delegates represent the Governor on IMCC Committees. The standing committees serve to support the staff in a range of ways from strategic planning and issue identification, to compensation and financial oversight.
IMCC has a full-time staff that includes:
Tom Clarke, Executive Director
Ryan Ellis, Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
Brittany Mills, Administrative Assistant
Membership Entry into the compact as a full member requires the enactment of legislation in the state seeking to join. States can also enter as an associate member, through letter of request by their Governor, for the purpose of deciding whether to pursue full membership. IMCC has always welcomed non member states to observe meetings and explore interest in membership.