March 26
Sens. Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md., and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., have
introduced legislation that could essentially ban mountaintop mining.
Their bill, dubbed the Appalachia Restoration Act, would prohibit the
dumping of mining waste into stream and river beds. Mountaintop mining
involves removing the summit of a mountain to expose the coal underneath.
Waste rock, dirt and vegetation ends up in nearby stream and river valleys.
"My goal is to put a stop to one of the most destructive mining practices
that has already destroyed some of Americaīs most beautiful and ecologically
significant regions," said Sen. Cardin, who chairs the Water and Wildlife
Subcommittee of the environment committee. "This legislation will put a stop
to the smothering of our nationīs streams and water systems and will restore
the Clean Water Act to its original intent."
Earthjustice, an environmental advocacy group, said the measure would
protect thousands of miles of Appalachian headwaters, streams and rivers.
The measure was introduced days after the EPA said it planned on taking a
closer look at pending permit requests for mountaintop mining operations.
Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at
330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com
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