Mountaintop Mining/Valley Fills in Appalachia. Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

摘要

The purpose of this FPEIS is to evaluate options for improving agency programs under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that will contribute to reducing the adverse environmental impacts of mountaintop mining operations and excess spoil valley fills (MTM/VF) in Appalachia. Preparation of this FPEIS involved substantial information gathering, and it describes relevant historical data, details several possible alternative frameworks, and contains the results of over 30 scientific and technical studies conducted as a part of this effort. This FPEIS includes the following: the comments received on the DPEIS (only one copy of each form letter where multiple copies were received); issues identified in the comments; responses on the issues; and an errata sheet.