For thirty years, since the passage of the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977, the mining industry has been continually
harassed by litigation initiated by extremist groups whose intention is
to stop the mining, transportation, burning and every other step of
utilizing coal as an energy source. They simply want to take our
jobs. Several hundred of these extremists have sent comments to OSM
opposing these rules. We need to show them we want and need these
rules. That’s where your help is needed.
Through a proposed rule which would clarify valley fill construction,
and particularly its relation to “Stream Buffer Zone” regulations, we
have the opportunity to bring an end to decades of legal harassment.
Without this clarification, the coal industry faces a massive
disruption to its production that would cause devastating job losses
and create chaos in the economy of West Virginia and other Appalachian
states. We need a stable environment for our people’s jobs to continue
to expand.
Please get in contact with the federal Office of Surface Mining
(directions are included) as soon as possible and register your support
for this rule change! Be assured that anti-mining groups are
mobilizing in opposition.
For thirty years, since the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, the mining industry has been continually harassed by litigation initiated by extremist groups whose intention is to stop the mining, transportation, burning and every other step of utilizing coal as an energy source. They simply want to take our jobs. Several hundred of these extremists have sent comments to OSM opposing these rules. We need to show them we want and need these rules. That’s where your help is needed.
Through a proposed rule which would clarify valley fill construction, and particularly its relation to “Stream Buffer Zone” regulations, we have the opportunity to bring an end to decades of legal harassment.
Without this clarification, the coal industry faces a massive disruption to its production that would cause devastating job losses and create chaos in the economy of West Virginia and other Appalachian states. We need a stable environment for our people’s jobs to continue to expand.
Please get in contact with the federal Office of Surface Mining (directions are included) as soon as possible and register your support for this rule change! Be assured that anti-mining groups are mobilizing in opposition.
We have provided below a sample statement which can be mailed, e-mailed or delivered to OSM at a public hearing scheduled for October 24, 2007 in Charleston, WV. The hearing will be held at the Charleston House Holiday Inn beginning at 6:00 p.m. and will last until 9:00 p.m.
To provide written comments, send them to:
Dennis G. Rice
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
U.S. Department of the Interior
1951 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Via e-mail: drice@osmre.gov.
Reference the Stream Buffer Zone Rule and identify it by referring to RIN1029-AC04 in your introduction.
Please give this important mission your earliest consideration.
_____________________________________________________________________
TO OSM:
The practice of valley fill construction was formally recognized by Congress with the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. In the 30 years since the passage of that legislation, the coal industry has been burdened by continuous litigation, which has sought to outlaw this practice, which is a necessary component to all forms of mining in steep sloped terrain.
The proposed rule seeks to reinforce the Congressional intent of thirty years ago, by specifically recognizing and regulating valley fill construction, which would hopefully mean an end to the wasteful litigation which has plague the industry for decades.
Please lend your support to the passage of this rule and give the coal industry the regulatory stability which it needs to continue to provide this country with a vital source of energy.
Thank you for your consideration.
