Isn't That Cute?!? KY Governor Sends Letter To EPA Protesting Mountaintop Mining Dumping In Streams

[hatrack]

Uh, Governor? They DON'T GIVE A SHIT!!! Get a GRIP.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Gov. Steve Beshear sent a letter this week to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency objecting to a Bush administration proposal that would allow coal companies to dump dirt and rock blasted from Appalachian mountaintops into streams. Beshear said the proposal would threaten Kentucky's ability to protect its environment.

The Bush administration has advanced a proposal that would ease restrictions on dumping mountaintop mining waste near rivers and streams, eliminating protections that have been in place for a quarter-century. The Office of Surface Mining issued a final environmental impact analysis last month on the proposed change that has been under consideration for four years. The modification has been a top priority of coal operators who want to see it implemented before the Bush administration ends.

The proposal would rewrite a regulation enacted in 1983 by the Reagan administration that bars mining companies from filling Appalachian valleys with dirt and rock blasted from mountaintops in the removal of coal. The regulation prohibits mining activities within 100 feet of any intermittent or perennial stream if the disposal adversely affects water quality or quantity.

The revisions would let mining companies skirt the 100-foot protective buffer zone if compliance is determined to be impossible, but would require mining companies to minimize the environmental impact. Beshear publicly released his letter objecting to the change on Tuesday. In it, he said the proposed change "leaves open increased opportunities for abuse" by mining companies.

EDIT

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=AP&date=20081118&id=9389147

[maxsolomon]

1. eventually, it will be the E. Kentucky Plateau

i never thought there could be anything MORE tragic than the clearcutting devastation of the PNW.

[kestrel91316]

2. You vote Republicans in office, you get Republican policies like

"To Hell With The Environment, We's Makin' Profits!!!!!". Why does the Governor of KY NOT understand this?

[riverdeep]

3. Hey, even Reagan thought it was a bad idea.

Since it was his administration that did it. Even with James Watt in charge?

[quidam56]

4. Eastern Kentucky, Southwestern Virginia and Southern West Virginia photos

http://www.wisecountyissues.com

[stuntcat]

5. I'm sharing those thank you

I've told a few people about mountaintop removal lately, since I realized how few know what it is. Responsible educated grown-ups.. NO idea what goes on. My mom lives IN those mountains and had never heard of this.

[lectrobyte]

6. Are those pics from Wise County VA? I had no idea either.

and I don't live that far away.