THE SURFACE MINING CONTROL AND RECLAMATION ACT:A RESPONSE TO CONCERNS ABOUT PLACEMENT OFCOAL COMBUSTION BY-PRODUCTS AT COAL MINE SITES

摘要

The use and disposal of Coal Combustion By-Products (CCBs) (I.e.fly ash,bottom ash,flue gasdesulfurization material,and fluidized bed combustion material) at coalmines has become anarea of intense interest,research,activity,and controversy during the last decade.The U.S.DOI,Office of Surface Mining (OSM) was created in 1977 as part of the Surface Mining Control andReclamation Act (SMCRA) to provide minimum levels of protection concerning public health,safety,and the environment and balance this with the need for a viable U.S.coal supply.Beginning in May of 1994,OSM has taken an active role in encouraging and promotingtechnological advances,research,and technology transfer to the mining related use and disposalof those material residues remaining after the combustion of coal to produce electric power.Currently,there are less than 2 percent of the CCBs that are produced in the U.S.that are placedback at less than 2 percent of the mines sites where they originated.Most of the uses to datehave been extensively researched.This research indicates that the placement of these materialson the mine site usually results in a beneficial impact to human health and the environment whenit is used to mitigate other existing potential mining hazards.They can also be used to improvethe economics of mining when used as a non-toxic fill within the spoil area prior to grading andfinal reclamation.Beneficial mining related uses include: (1) an alkaline seal or fill material tocontain acid forming materials and prevent the formation of acid mine drainage;(2) anagricultural supplement to create productive artificial soils on abandoned mine lands wherenative soils are not available;(3) a flowable fill that seals and stabilizes abandoned undergroundmines to prevent subsidence and the production of acid mine drainage;(4) a constructionmaterial for dams or other earth like materials where such materials are needed as a compact anddurable base;and (5) a non-toxic,earthlike fill material for final pits and within the spoil area.The recycling of these materials into useful products has attracted a great deal of interest as a rawmaterial for basic construction products off the mine site.Concerning CCB placement atcoalmine sites,some environmental groups believe the use of these materials places anunacceptable risk on public health and environmental quality.This paper will attempt to providea response to public criticism concerning the relative adequacy of SMCRA programs that protectpublic health and the environment when CCBs are placed at a SMCRA permitted mine site.