This just in from Coal River Mountain Watch:
Beckley, WV - The Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) held an open house at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center today to collect public comments in order to develop a more thorough Stream Protection Rule. The OSM will hold a total of nine open houses throughout the country, the last one set for July 29th. Those who are unable to attend the open houses may submit their comments via email, postal mail, or hand delivery before July 30th (see below for details).
The open house featured court reporters collecting oral comments, 11 poster boards detailing various aspects of the proposed stream law, and a comment sheet to be filled out and turned in at the registration table. Besides the circle of OSM officials in the center of the room, the half a dozen police officers standing at the front, and the court reporters at their desks in the corners, the room was largely unpopulated.
Key elements of the rule that are being considered include: the definition of “material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area”; the inclusion of fills in the restrictions of mining activities near streams; the limitation of variances; the prohibition of mountain-top removal mining; monitoring requirements; the reforestation of abandoned mines; coordination between regulatory organizations; and the definition of a stream.
While the posters touted large friendly pictures, the explanations seemed to include an unnecessary amount of regulatory lingo for a comment session open to the general public.
Court Reporters Meet with Citizen
Send your comments to the OSM by July 30th:
Email: Send to sra-eis@osmre.gov with the Docket Number OSM-EIS-35 in the subject line of your message.
Postal mail, hand delivery, or courier: Include the Docket Number OSM-EIS-35 at the top of your message and send to:
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Administrative Record
Room 252–SIB
1951 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20240
I went to the Beckley open house. As stated above there was a lot of terminology I questioned one being “what is considered an intermittent stream”. No one could seem to answer my questions without the usual government double talk. Honestly, I think it was all a bunch of stinking horseshit and no rule holds any bearing unless it is enforced and why make new rules when the ones already in place are ignored and laughed at by the coal companies. ???? Let’s face it. Our government leaders are not there for us they are there for the big money. Bottom line. So get this all you “domestic terrorists” working for these companies that are ripping our moutains apart when the time comes that you need them to protect you or your interests they won’t be there then either. When the time comes that only poison water runs from your faucet and you beg them to do something they will sit on capital hill and drink their Evian and laugh at you.
Just taken from CGZ (about us) web site: July 25 2010 , Support Climate Ground Zero. Note: Any donation should be made out to Climate Ground Zero. Climate Ground Zero is a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible……………Another RULE to be laughed at ? The IRS services web site states: A section 501(c)3 organization may NOT have purposes for or activities that are ILLEGAL or violate fundamental public policy. More laws to throw under the bus?
Define “fundamental public policy.”
E M No reason to, more concerned with ILLEGAL ACTVITIES by section 501(c) 3 organization.
The laws don’t apply to people who don’t work and don’t want others to work Watcher! I think I am gonna make a call….. Hello IRS!
oops!