Mining Industry Questions Obama Administration's Stream Rule Changes

摘要

The mining sector is questioning the Obama administration's intent for a proposed rule that would increase requirements for coal mining near streams, charging the controversial rule's development is driven by politics rather than science. The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) proposed the stream protection rule in July, seeking to minimize the adverse impacts of surface coal mining operations on surface water, groundwater, and site productivity, with particular emphasis on protecting or restoring streams (Water Policy Report, July 27).