A reclaimed stream in Letcher County

What

The federal Office of Surface Mining Control Reclamation & Enforcement (OSM) has proposed some new rules intended to protect vital headwater streams across the country from the impacts of the mining industry. Before OSM can implement these proposed rules, it has to do an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) of the likely environmental impacts of the proposed rules.  This study is supposed to look not only at the impacts of the proposed new rules but also at various other options, such as implementing the original 100-foot Steam Buffer Zone rule and the option of not changing the status quo.  

By proposing these new rules OSM is implementing another step from the Memorandum of Understanding drafted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in June 2009 that outlined how the Obama administration will address mining’s impacts on water quality.

OSM is holding an “Open House” for the public to learn about the proposed process for their Environmental Impact Study. We understand there will be a large room where people will be able to go up to different tables and learn about different aspects of the EIS. Then we have been told there will be a private room where people will be allowed to give 2-3 minute comments on the process of the proposed EIS; for example, someone might give a comment asking that OSMRE study the impacts of removing the trees and shrubs along the sides of the streams.

When

Where

At the Hazard Community College, just south of Hazard on Route 15.

KFTC encourages anyone who wants to go to this hearing to learn more or give comments on the proposed EIS to please go to the hearing. We will have some staff and members there for the entire day to help KFTC members and allies navigate this process. However, given the structure of the “Open House” we are not just trying to get people in the room.

For those unable to attend the Open House, you may also submit comments on the EIS by any of the following methods, although OSM requests that you use electronic mail if possible. Comments must be received by OSM by July 30, 2010.

• Electronic mail: Send your comments to sra-eis@osmre.gov
• Mail, hand-delivery, or courier: Send your comments to:
  

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Administrative Record, Room 252-SIB
1951 Constitution Ave. NW.
Washington, DC 20240.

For more information:

• OSM’s public notice in the Federal Registry
• KFTC talking points document
• Call Kevin Pentz at 606-335-0764 or email kevin@kftc.org