The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) has filed its proposed 2011 rulemaking packages with the Legislature for consideration by the Rulemaking Review Committee. Among the changes are revisions to the State’s codified Water Quality Standards (47 CSR 2) that would revise the iron standard for trout waters and add a 500 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids drinking water standard. Changes to the Mining and Reclamation Rule (38 CSR 2) include adding provisions that would allow the agency to initiate bond release in lieu of the permit holder. Changes to the Explosives and Blasting Rule (199 CSR 1) would increase the blasting protections for impoundments. The proposed rule revisions must be approved by the Legislature during the 2011 Regular Session before they can be submitted to the federal Environmental Protection Agency (47 CSR 2) and the federal Office of Surface Mining (38 CSR 2, 199 CSR 1) for consideration.
A copy of the proposed changes is available from jbostic@wvcoal.com