spacer    PRINT  spacer    RSS spacer    PDF HELP spacer   
OSM HOME | ABOUT US | INDEX | SITEMAP | CONTACT US | HELP  
spacer

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

REGULATING COAL MINES
RECLAIMING ABANDONED MINE LANDS
APPLYING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


Building a Stream Protection Rule

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is developing a more thorough rule to better protect streams from the adverse effects of coal mining. This rulemaking effort fulfills a commitment set out in a June 2009 Memorandum of Understanding among the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the environmental impacts of coal mining in Appalachia.  

In April 2010, OSM published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement for the Stream Protection Rule, which will replace the 2008 Stream Buffer Zone Rule. The notice includes a list of concepts that are under consideration for the proposed rule. Those concepts include provisions for coal mining companies that elect to mine through or bury streams to gather more specific baseline data on a proposed mine site's hydrology, geology, and aquatic biology; establishing a definition of the term "material damage to the hydrologic balance" of watersheds outside the permit area; and developing more effective requirements for mine operators seeking a variance from the requirement that mined areas be reclaimed to their approximate original contour.

OSM has also reached out to stakeholders to obtain their input on the rule's draft concepts. By obtaining stakeholder feedback at fifteen stakeholder outreach sessions, OSM is prepared to produce a more effective rule. These outreach sessions are part of the Presidents vision of a more transparent government.

Additional Information:

  • July 2, 2010, News Release: OSM Announces Open Houses to Gather Public Comments on an Environmental Impact Statement For Rule to Protect Streams spacer [169 KB]
  • June 18, 2010, News Release: OSM to Hold Open Houses to Take Public Comments On Stream Protection Rule EIS spacer [181 KB]
  • April 29, 2010, News Release: OSM to Conduct an EIS for the Stream Protection Rule spacer [116 KB]
  • April 29, 2010, Federal Register Notice and Notice of Intent
  • November 30, 2009, Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
  • November 18, 2009, Issuance of Oversight Improvement Actions
  • June 11, 2009, Memorandum of Understanding spacer [91.55 KB]
  • What is Oversight? spacer [66 KB]
  • List of Projects Subject to Enhanced Coordination Procedures Between EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    This page provides updates and background information regarding activities and permits under Clean Water Act Section 404 and Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act subject to the Enhanced Coordination Procedures under the June 11, 2009, Memorandum of Agreement.

Other Links:

Making Oversight of Surface Coal Mining More Effective

RESOURCES
NEWSROOM
REFERENCES
TOOLS
EVENTS
FIND IT FAST
SEARCH
A-Z Index
FAQS
QUICK LINKS
OFFICES
HEADQUARTERS
APPALACHIAN
MID-CONTINENT
WESTERN
gipoco.com is neither affiliated with the authors of this page nor responsible for its contents. This is a safe-cache copy of the original web site.