EPA Proposes Veto of the Largest Mountaintop Mine in West Virginia

[babylonsister]

It's distressing to see the Dems who are against this veto. :(


EPA Proposes Veto of the Largest Mountaintop Mine in West Virginia
Move Shows Administration Is Serious About Putting Teeth Back Into Clean Water Act
By Mike Lillis 3/26/10 3:32 PM


In a show that the Obama administration is serious about putting the teeth back into the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency today jump-started a process that could kill one of the largest mountaintop coal mining operations ever allowed in Appalachia. The decision — which is already being attacked by powerful coal-country Democrats — marks the first time in the EPA’s history that it has invoked its CWA authority to question the legitimacy of a permitted project.

Mountaintop removal refers to the process of blowing the tops off of mountains to uncover the seams of coal inside. The soil, rock, trees and other debris are then pushed into adjacent valleys, often burying tiny streams representing the headwaters of larger rivers below.

West Virginia’s Spruce No. 1 Mine, approved under the Bush administration, would devour 2,278 acres of wooded mountains in southern Logan County. The operation would fill six Appalachian valleys with 110 million cubic yards of debris, burying more than seven miles of headwater streams over the next 15 years.

Most of the project has been stalled in recent years by a series of lawsuits filed by community activists. But the EPA under the Obama administration has also taken a great interest in the project. Today they took that interest a step further, issuing a “proposed determination” that could lead to restrictions on the extent of the mining — or a veto of the permit altogether.

more...

http://washingtonindependent.com/80637/epa-proposes-potential-veto-of-the-largest-mountaintop-mine-in-west-virginia

[elleng]

1. Please correct me if I'm wrong,

but the 'pro' mining folks in WV are that way because mining provides lots of jobs. So as with most things, its not so simple!

[babylonsister]

2. I don't recall anyone suggesting it was simple. nt

[wroberts189]

4. If they have to do it.. do it the old fashoined way with good cleanup as well. Dig mines. nt/knr

[DCKit]

6. Far fewer employees in this type of mine.

I've seen a report on one that only had four people working it - it's all about the equipment.

[Withywindle]

3. Oh god, yes, PLEASE

K &R

I realize a lot of pro-mining people are in favor of it because of jobs. I sympathize. I know how poor that region is, all too well (and whose fault is that? The coal companies', mainly. They will not solve the problem they created over generations out of the goodness of their hearts. Not now, not ever).

But to destroy mountains that took millions upon millions of years to create (the Appalachians are one of the oldest ranges in the world) for jobs in the very, very short term, is just unconscionable.

[Kdillard]

5. That is good news. Hopefully this travesty will be stopped.