"OSM Promises Tougher Strip-Mine Inspections"

"CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Obama administration on Wednesday announced plans to beef up federal strip-mining inspections and reviews of mining permits issued by state regulators like West Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection.

Interior Department officials said these steps are among its "immediate actions" to improve oversight of state mining regulators and "better protect streams affected by surface coal mining operations."

Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement also announced it plans national initiatives focused on the approximate original contour, or AOC, reclamation rule and on ensuring mine operators post adequate mine cleanup bonds."


Ken Ward Jr. reports for the Charleston Gazette November 18, 2009.

See Also:

"New Surface Mining Chief Cracks Down on Mountaintop Removal, Valley Fills" (Environment News Service)