The West Virginia legislature has communicated its will to EPA by urging the federal agency not to veto or rescind the Spruce Mine Permit. SCR 61 was passed without a descending vote.
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 61
(By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President), Stollings, Browning, Oliverio, Williams, McCabe and Plymale)
Urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to not veto the permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Spruce Mine in Logan County, West Virginia.
Whereas, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit to the Spruce Mine in Logan County, West Virginia after years of intensive review, including the conclusion of a full environmental impact statements; and
Whereas, In the course of its deliberations regarding the Spruce Mine, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has raised concerns regarding water quality; and
Whereas, Interpretations and implementation of West Virginia's water quality standards is the responsibility of the West Virginia Legislature and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, who has previously determined that the Spruce Mine complies with the water quality standards, including the narrative standards approved by the Legislature and implemented by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; and
Whereas, The permit has been in place for two years. The mine has become operational and employees have been hired; and
Whereas, If the permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is vetoed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the loss of jobs and investments at Spruce Mine Company in Logan County, West Virginia, will have a major impact, not only to Logan County, West Virginia, but will further impact the financial stability of the State of West Virginia in an unstable economy; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to not veto the permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Spruce Mine in Logan County, West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the members of the West Virginia Delegation to the Congress of the United States, the President of the United States and the U.S. Council of Environmental Quality.