The rising tide of scientific evidence -and public protest - against moun-taintop mining looks set to claim its first major victory. By the end of this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to revoke a permit allowing mining company Arch Coal to extract coal from the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia. This would be the first time a permit for the controversial mining practice, long suspected of causing environmental damage, has been vetoed by the agency. A scientific review (see go.nature.com/ hsuhrt) carried out by the EPA and published on 15 October concluded that the project, Spruce 1, would have "unacceptable" effects on water quality and wildlife, and recommended its permit be revoked.
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