Don't Bury Our Streams!
Stop the Indiscriminate Dumping of
Coal Mining Wastes into Kentucky's Valuable
Headwater Streams
KFTC opposes mountaintop removal and supports the preservation and protection of the state's waterways and communities that depend on these streams for drinking water, recreation and economic activity. We oppose the destruction of these streams that results from valley fills that commonly accompany mountaintop removal coal mining operations.
House Bill 385
KFTC's position: FOR
| Summary |
House Bill 385 would control the use of valley fills by prohibiting the dumping of mine wastes into "an intermittent, perennial, or ephemeral stream or other water of the Commonwealth" -- Kentucky's essential headwater streams. The bill will direct that mine wastes be placed back on the mine site as part of the reclamation process already specified in state and federal law -- rather than pushed over the side of the hill into valleys and streams below. |
|
|
History |
HB 385 was assigned to the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. Chairperson Rep. Jim Gooch said mountaintop removal and valley fills are not a problem and so far has refused to allow a hearing and vote on the bill. |
|
|
Action |
Contact Speaker of the House Rep. Jody Richards. It has been Richards’ lack of leadership on this issue that has allowed the stream saver bill to be denied a hearing or vote in past legislative sessions and this outrageous practice to continue. He needs to know that people all over Kentucky care about this issue and want this bill to pass. |
|
| Sponsors: Reps. Don Pasley, Charlie Hoffman, Tom Burch, Derrick Graham, Richard Henderson, Melvin Henley, Joni Jenkins, Jimmie Lee, Mary Lou Marzian, Reginald Meeks, Harry Moberly, Ruth Ann Palumbo, Rick Rand, Tom Riner, Carl Rollins, Dottie Sims, Kathy Stein, Jim Wayne |
||
|
Click here to download a copy of HB 385 . |
||
Thanks to everyone who made the
I Love Mountains Lobby Day
on February 14 such a great day!
Learn more about mountaintop removal mining