The Division of Field Services regional offices are located in Madisonville, London, Middlesboro, Pikeville and Prestonsburg . They are staffed by environmental inspectors with experience in various fields associated with mining and reclamation . These inspectors, with degrees such as engineering, biology, geology and forestry, must examine each mining operation, evaluate the soil and water samples, check the area's degree of slope and determine if backfill areas, sediment structures, access roads, and revegetation are in compliance with state regulations.
Mining laws require that at least one inspection of an active site be conducted each month.
These mine inspections occur without prior notice to the mine operator. The typical inspector's work week consists of many duties. Sixty percent of the inspector's time is devoted to inspecting the mine sites. Inspections are made once per month while the natural resource is being extracted. Several inspections may be made in a month during critical phases of construction of silt structures and rock lined drainage channels.