Mountain Holler

Stream Buffer Zone Comments and Call-in Day

September 8th, 2007

The Bush administration is at it again. The Office of Surface Mining just proposed a rule change that would allow coal companies to dump massive amounts of waste directly into streams, destroying them completely (OSM-2007-0007-0001). We are asking that everyone send in comments to the OSM requesting public hearings in the coal producing regions, an extension of the comment period, and of course a rejection of the proposed rule change and enforcement of existing regulations.

The current rule does not allow the dumping of waste within 100 feet of a stream (it hasn't been well enforced in case you're scratching your head wondering how valley fills are allowed to happen). A recent lawsuit has placed a moratorium on the permitting of Valley fills until an extensive study can be done.

What should you tell the OSM? You can use these talking points, read a more complete description of the rule change or view a sample comment. And in your comments, always identify communication and comments by docket number RIN 1029-AC04.

Nearly 2000 miles of streams have been damaged or destroyed by mountaintop removal.
Case studies demonstrate that direct impacts to streams may be greatly lessened by reducing the size of the valley fills where mining wastes are dumped.
When past, present and future areas that have been or will be affected are added together, the estimated area of forest impacts is 1.4 million acres.
Forest loss in West Virginia alone has the potential of directly impacting as many as 244 vertebrate wildlife species.
Without additional limits, an additional 350 square miles of mountains, streams, and forests will be flattened and destroyed by mountaintop removal.

The deadline for requesting public hearings in coal producing areas is September 23. You can email Dennis Rice at drice@osmre.gov to request a hearing.or send mail to:

Dennis G. Rice
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, US Dept. of Interior
1951 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Telephone: 202-208-2829

The deadline for comments is October 23. You can leave comments to the rule change at www.regulations.gov. or mail your comments to:

OSMRE, Administrative Record,
Room 252 SIB,
1951 Constitution Avenue, NW,
Washington DC 20240.

And on September 20th there will be a nationwide congressional call-in day. Please call your Senators and Representative in Congress (and any other congresspersons you think should know) to tell them to oppose this rule change.

Posted by: Matt Noerpel

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