OSM Proposes Weakening MTR Rule

MTR Valley Fill, Massey Energy Corp,

Lyburn, WV

The Office on Surface Mining has proposed a new rule to weaken regulations regarding stream buffer zones at Mountaintop Removal mining sites.

The current rule requires mining operations to obtain a variance showing no impact to water quality or quantity for activities within 100 feet of a stream, but the rule is often disregarded with MTR valley fills. The rule change proposed by OSM would lift the buffer zone protection altogether.

A recent survey conducted by the non-partisan Opinion Research Corporation found that two-thirds of Americans oppose the administration's proposed rule. More details on the survey can be found at: http://www.700mountains.org/release091307.cfm

OSM is required to receive public comment on the rule change through October 23. Comments can be submitted to the Federal Register at: http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=OSM-2007-0007

Documents on the rule change can be found on the OSM website: http://www.osmre.gov/

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http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/News/2007091423

http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/158147.html

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070825/BUSINESS/708250406

http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/news.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2007-08-19-0010.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/24/AR2007082401206.html

http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_65215.shtml

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