"WASHINGTON — The Interior Department on Thursday proposed a new rule aimed at protecting streams from the high level of pollution caused by a technique known as mountaintop removal mining.
The proposed rule, which updates a 1983 regulation, quickly met fierce opposition from the mining industry and some Republicans. The rule would have the greatest effect on states in the Appalachian Mountains, where the disputed mining practice is most common.
Obama administration officials and environmental groups said that even in the Appalachians, the rule was unlikely to be a significant deterrent to mountaintop mining."
Nicholas Fandos reports for the New York Times July 16, 2015.
SEE ALSO:
"OSM Proposal Backs Off Stream ‘Buffer Zone’" (Charleston Gazette)
"Obama Administration Aims To Protect Streams From Coal Mining" (Reuters)
"New U.S. Stream Protection Rule Infuriates Big Coal" (ENS)
"New Clash With Big Coal Set as Obama Proposes Curbs on Water Pollution" (Washington Post)
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