Stream Buffer Zone Rule Approved…
Dec 3rd, 2008 by admin
A quick update, the EPA has approved the Office of Surface Mining’s Stream Buffer Zone rule change as of yesterday. We’ll keep fighting, and keep you updated.
But in case you really don’t understand how bad this rule change is, lets hear it from the Bush administration (as quoted in the NY Times):
“This rule strengthens protections for streams,” said Peter L. Mali, a spokesman for the Interior Department office that wrote the regulation. “Federal law allows coal mine waste to be placed in streams, and the rule tightens restrictions as to when, where and how those discharges can occur.”
Yep, if the Bush Administration thinks it’s good for Appalachian communities, you can guess that it’s probably devastating. Don’t forget that the “mine waste” that Mali is speaking of is actually “mountains.”
