Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Business / Technology


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Monday, November 2, 2009 at 1:22 PM

Comments (0)     E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

Mining stream buffer rule could be ready by 2011

The Obama administration says reversing a last-minute Bush-era surface mining regulation criticized as too friendly to coal companies is going to take at least another year.

AP Business Writer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. —

The Obama administration says reversing a last-minute Bush-era surface mining regulation criticized as too friendly to coal companies is going to take at least another year.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement plans to start the process of replacing the regulation by mid-November and hopes to complete the job by early 2011, acting director Glenda Owens said in a court filing. The document popped up in a lawsuit aimed at overturning the Bush administration's stream buffer regulation, which was approved shortly before Obama took office.

The regulation rewrote rules adopted in 1983 by the Reagan administration that barred mining companies from dumping material removed from surface operations within 100 feet of streams if the disposal harmed water quality or quantity.

Instead, the revisions required mine operators to keep debris piles as small as possible, but allows them to skirt the buffer requirement if compliance is determined to be impossible.

Disagreement over the regulation is at the heart of the ongoing fight over mountaintop removal coal mining in West Virginia, Kentucky and other parts of Appalachia.

Coal companies say the practice of blasting and scraping away ridges to expose multiple coal seams provides cheap electricity for millions and supports thousands of high-paying jobs. Environmental groups and other opponents contend the regulation allows coal companies to bury streams rather than buffer them.

And they argue that the Interior Department isn't acting quickly enough.

"The Department of the Interior is spinning its wheels," the Sierra Club's Mary Anne Hitt said in a statement. "Appalachia's mountains, streams and communities continue to be destroyed."

In West Virginia, Coal River Mountain Watch said the Interior Department is reluctant to address mountaintop mining.

"Fixing the stream buffer zone rule remains a key component in the complex effort to end mountaintop removal coal mining," Lorelei Scarboro said in a statement.

The National Mining Association, on the other hand, criticized the Sierra Club.

"The Sierra Club is essentially demanding the government dictate policy and dispense entirely with public comment on a rule that would have far-reaching economic implications," NMA spokesman Luke Popovich said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

advertising

Kendra Barkoff, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's press secretary, said the department is going to develop a sound rule following the process laid out by the law and based on science and public input.

"Secretary Salazar is not going to take shortcuts," Barkoff said in a statement. "That rulemaking process does take some time, but we are moving forward as expeditiously as possible."

Under Obama, OSM has agreed with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency to work more closely on reviewing surface coal mining permits in the East. At issue is mountaintop mining's effect on water quality and the environment. The new administration also has begun cracking down on the practice. For instance, the EPA recently decided to delay approval of 79 coal mine permits in the region to allow for additional scrutiny. Coal mines in the West and Midwest have not been targeted for the same scrutiny.

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

More Business & Technology

Washington state wines make annual best-of list

Cool yule buzz on the latest in gift gear for your nerd

BofA moves to take control of Mastro building in Fremont

Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier

Busy week of IPOs sets stage for strong year ahead

More Business & Technology headlines...

No comments have been posted to this article. Start the conversation.


Get home delivery today!

Video

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors
Interview with New Moon actors
Artistic Roller Skating
Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Smash Putt! Miniature Golf
Opening day at Crystal Mountain

Advertising

AP Video

Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising