Bush Rule on Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining Reversed

The Obama Administration today announced moves to reverse the Bush Administration’s devastating last-minute weakening of the stream buffer zone rule, a key protection for waterways near mountaintop removal coal mines. The move comes in response to a legal challenge by a coalition of organizations including the Sierra Club.

From Mary Anne Hitt, deputy director of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign:
"Restoring the previous stream buffer zone regulation is one component in the fight to end mountaintop removal coal mining. But with the explosives and bulldozers standing by, it will take tough enforcement and more rule changes and legislation to end mountaintop removal coal mining completely.

"The administration's move today underscores how much work it is going to take to end mountaintop removal coal mining. Even with the original stream buffer zone rule back in effect, it will take tough enforcement and bold action from various agencies to protect our communities and streams."

Mountaintop removal coal mining is devastating, and this move from the Department of the Interior does not end it. Already close to 2,000 miles of streams have been contaminated or destroyed by mountaintop removal coal mining, and communities throughout the Appalachian region suffer daily from contaminated drinking water, increased flooding, and a decimated landscape. The Sierra Club will continue to work with the Obama Administration to end mountaintop removal coal mining.

Comments

[John Kaufman]

Clearly, anything short of a federal or state ban on strip mining (and underground longwall mining) for coal will not end the destruction of land, water and communities in the name of jobs and energy.

In the meantime, smaller-scale, healthy, joyful, long-term economies in the Appalachians and elsewhere should be a local and national priority.

The Sierra Club deserves thanks and praise for helping us all to move "beyond coal."

[Jennie]

I recently discovered how much of the Eartn's landscape has been raped by the coal industry. The creatures, people, water, not to mention that these mountains are NEVER coming back-have so much devastation! They are not going to regrow, the water is sludge, the trees- MY GOD the trees that we've lost. The beauty is gone forever. Tears are stinging my eyes. Global warming is running full steam ahead. STOP THIS NOW! SAVE WHAT WE CAN-PLEASE!