EPA proposes veto of major US mountaintop removal site (good news!)

[G_j]

http://rawstory.com/2010/03/epa-proposes-veto-major-mountaintop-removal-site/


EPA proposes veto of major US mountaintop removal site

By Agence France-Presse
Sunday, March 28th, 2010 -- 7:09 pm

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed an unprecedented veto to restrict or prohibit mining at a major proposed US mountaintop removal coal mining site.

If the veto is finalized, it would invalidate a permit first issued in 2007 for the Army Corps of Engineers at the Spruce No. 1 surface mine in southern West Virginia.

In explaining its decision, the EPA said Friday the Arch Coal Inc. mine would pollute surrounding water, fill over seven miles (11 kilometers) of stream, would cause "unacceptable" harm to wildlife and "directly impact" some 2,278 acres (922 hectares) of forest.

A rare step in three decades of mountaintop mining in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, the decision was the first time the EPA has proposed to veto a mine that already had received a permit.

It was the 12th time the agency has used its veto power for any project since the 1972 Clean Water Act became law.

..more..

[Echo In Light]

1. k/r

[Skink]

2. must have made some recess appointments at the epa.

[G_j]

3. I was surprised

pleasantly

[joeybee12]

4. Very good news...n/t

[Leopolds Ghost]

5. Unprecedented? EPA has only vetoed 12 development projects in its history -- unbelievable.

Still good news, though.

[ensho]

6. good

nt