Bush To Ease "Mountaintop Mining" Rule

Environmental Groups Furious At "Gift" To Coal Mining Industry In Waning Days Of Bush Administration

(CBS/AP)  Angry environmentalists launched an online campaign Wednesday urging President-elect Barack Obama to undo a federal rule that clarifies when coal companies can dump mining waste in streams, calling it a long-awaited "parting gift" from the Bush administration.

North Carolina-based Appalachian Voices and other groups blasted Tuesday's Environmental Protection Agency decision to endorse the mining rule as the death of freshwater streams and the likely start of a new surge in mountaintop removal surface mining across Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Although the regulation would apply nationwide, mountaintop removal operations are of special interest in Appalachia, where surface mines now outnumber those underground.

An EPA study estimated 400,000 acres of forest were wiped out and nearly 724 miles of streams buried between 1985 and 2001 by mountaintop mining, in which forests are clear cut and holes are drilled to blast apart rock. Massive machines, some with buckets big enough to hold 24 compact cars, scoop coal from the exposed seams.

The rock and dirt left behind is dumped into adjacent valleys, changing the natural shape of the earth, lowering the height of the mountain and covering streams.

The rule, proposed by the federal Office of Surface Mining and expected to take effect next month, would govern how mining companies can encroach into a buffer zone designed to protect streams. The Bush administration finalized the rule Wednesday and it will be published in the Federal Register later this month.

West Virginia attorney Joe Lovett, who has filed several lawsuits over mountaintop removal mining, said the rule essentially handicaps Obama, taking away a tool his administration could use to rein in the practice.

"For the industry, this is a parting gift," Lovett said.

But the National Mining Association says environmentalists are misrepresenting the rule as a free pass for Big Coal. It argues operators will have to conduct even more rigorous, time-consuming analyses of their disposal plans before mining begins.

"The rule does not make it easier to conduct mining activities within the stream buffer zone," said NMA spokeswoman Carol Raulston.

Dumping excess rock and soil has always been allowed, she said, as long as operators comply with federal water quality laws.

---

Read the Office of Surface Mining's comparison of the old and proposed new rules governing mountaintop mining and waste disposal.

---

"Enforcing a law and removing a law are two different things," countered Naoma resident Vernon Haltom, co-director of Coal River Mountain Watch, an environmental group trying to stop a mountaintop mine and preserve the site for a wind farm.

"To me," he said, "it's the difference between having traffic cops that are sleeping on the job and having no speed limit."

Lawmakers and the governors of Kentucky and Tennessee had urged the EPA to block the regulation.

At issue is how to interpret regulatory language that says surface mining operations can't disturb land within 100 feet of a perennial or intermittent stream.

Kentucky Coal Association President Bill Caylor said that if mining operations had to stay back 100 feet from every ephemeral stream - one that grows when it rains and dries up when it doesn't - there would be no place to put leftover rock and dirt.

"The environmentalists are misleading the public into believing that this regulation will allow us to dump waste into rivers and dam up rivers," Caylor said. "I don't know how to respond to that. It's just not true."

But Appalachian Voices, which maintains the ilovemountains.org Web site, estimates 470 mountains have already been destroyed.

EPA's action this week is "absolutely egregious," said Appalachian Voices program director Matt Wasson. "It's just an exclamation point on what we've been seeing for the last eight years.

"It's about making it easier for a few coal companies to engage in mountaintop removal."

Wasson's group launched a campaign Wednesday urging Obama to stop mountaintop mining during his first 100 days. Comments posted through ilovemountains will go directly to the Obama Transition Team Web site.

[kansas1946]

(CBS/AP) Angry environmentalists launched an online campaign Wednesday urging President-elect Barack Obama to undo a federal rule that clarifies when coal companies can dump mining waste in streams, calling it a long-awaited "parting gift" from the Bush administration.
**************************************

What does Bush care that children and animals are poisoned by toxic waste. He has got to be the most evil person that has ever graced the halls of the Whitehouse. Fortunately, the next administration can undo most of his damage.

[smurfcrusher]

Worst president EVER.

Some shepherd of our resources. He herds our future off a cliff.

EVIL. DESPICABLE. CLUELESS. And ultimately, a gift to Democrats. Republican politicians are a plague on America.
Any person of conscience would immediately leave that party and repent.

Don''t expect to see much of it.

[racam_us]

Get this idiot out of here. Give him an early out. Send him back to Texas if they want him. Texas should have built a fence between Washington and themselves.

[j24kman736]

G.W.B. Still stupid after all these years. He, and his cronies, should go straight to jail. Do not pass go.
Do not collect a dime.

[vincan-2009]

If Bush wants anyone in this country to think he is worth a *** he should not continue to destroy everything he can. GWB is the worst thing to happen to America. He has been responsible for so much of the financial calapse. It makes me sick that Bush is still the president until January. American can''t take much more of his horrible decisions.

[rudy6543]

What does Bush care that children and animals are poisoned by toxic waste.

***************

It really makes you wonder if they truly care about the unborn.

[alphaa10000]

When all the pretense of presidential dignity no longer serves any useful end, Bush reveals the kind of individual he really is.

In the past years, Bush revealed his flaws inadvertently, but prolifically.

Now, he exposes he royal posterior deliberately. Is there any real difference?

[neonink]

Bush is going to do everything in his power to destroy what''s left in USA.

How the man can live with himself?

Why doesn''t he take one of those really long vacations until Jan. 20th?

[bildix-2009]

Nature abhors black holes. And yet this special interest pandering lame duck is approving even more to further scar our ailing countryside. Stop him before he pays back any more plunderers!

[pirmin3]

He''s like a pouting baby. Didn''t vote for my party so I''m gonna destroy what''s left. He is one sick puppy.

[dbstevens]

Bush needs to leave the office NOW. He''s sabotaging everything he can. What a total, complete idiotic creep he is. Evil incarnate...

[rudy6543]

Face it, Bush grew up as a spoiled brat with a silver spoon stuck up his rear end. He would be given his little toys and destroy them because he could always get handled something new. He ruined every business he ever stuck his hands in, and with that record he came to govern the US. Everytime someone asked him a question he didn''t like, he responded like a spoiled brat: "We''ll leave Iraq when I am good and ready, got it?" He would say snidely. The spoiled brat is also a cowardly bully. That''s why he saddled up with Cheney right next to him.

[rudy6543]

Bush is just tying to hold on to a few things we have left until Obama comes in and turns our counrty on its head


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jedi23231 at 01:44 AM

Wow. We must be doing just swell under Bushy''s leadership according to you.

[centerfall94]

Bush: Criminal and traitor. His trial at the Hague is something I will look forward to!!

[mtminds]

What is left behind from this type of strip mining is a scene from the cameras on a mars rover. There is no top soil, just a level, flat, hard rock and gravel surface with very steep gravel sides, like a volcano. But unlike a volcano, the minerals that leech from the soil are acidic or caustic which kills water life anywhere in the mountain top mine''s water shed. This runoff also burns the roots of grasses and trees, leaving the area lifeless.

[jjp735i]

Bush is a total waste of a man.
A destroyer of anything and everything in America and around the world. That is Bush''s legacy and Rove can try to white wash it, but people will still see through it.

[earache4]

Bush Agenda:
Bog down military in illegal war. (check)
Cripple economy. (check)
Destroy Landscape. (check)

[ariess63]

william476

Mountain top mining has reduced jobs. Many miners have lost their jobs because of this method of mining. The big machines do most of the work.

[tonic12345]

hi

[tonic12345]

They call it an approval rating of George Bush. Only 19% approve of George.

Correction: It is a hate rating of George at 81%.. George Bush has no conscience, he is a threat until he leaves office.

[earache4]

How pitiful for smoggy skies
For amber waves of genetically altered grain
For strip mined mountains majesty
Above the flooded plain
Amerikastan, Amerikastan, God shed disgrace on thee
And reels in pain with great distain
From sea to oily sea.

[feedback3-2009]

Has there ever been an administration more determined to f-u-c-k the world?

[feedback3-2009]

hi

Posted by tonic12345 at 08:07 AM : Dec 04, 2008
______________________
Excellent point, I totally agree.

[runningralph]

I go along with the coal miners. They know more about their business than anyone else. Coal is being mined because people need it. And if this rule causes problems, Obama can undo anything Bush did.

[antoniof123]

Don''t worry neo cons we will not forget this mess for a generation...

Just like McCarthy did to the Republicans so will Bush do but McCarthy was only a senator and Bush a President.

Think about how long you will pay for his mess.

[usclimey]

Karl Rove and Karen Hughes are currently at the White House working on the "Bush Legacy Project," i.e., figuring out what lies to accentuate to make Shrub sound better to historians. Another couple of decisions like this one and they may as well go home - there is no legacy other than ruination of as much of the world as possible.

[omnibus66]

Bush was asked in an interview the other day if he would have invaded Iraq if he had known that there were no WMDs there.

He refused to answer.

Evil in the flesh, he will continue to destroy as long as possible.

[skarrzpapi]

I''ll make sure im one of the first in lne to **** on his grave...how in the world can this man be so stupid and yet..well...guess i better start drinking lotsa water..i have a feeling this EVIL man will be worm-fodder within a year of leaving office..and cheney as well!!!! we can at least hope!!!!!!!

[omnibus66]

Officials at SMU have decided that the Bush Presidential Library to be constructed there will contain both of his books, including the one he hasn''t finished coloring.

[earache4]

(cont.)
The George Tennet Room, Complete with a 4%u2019 basketball hoop for easy %u2018slam dunks%u2019.

The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty, but very warm.

The Scooter Libby Room, (Pardon the mess, we%u2019ll have him clean it up for you)

The ''''Decider Room'''' complete with dart board, magic 8-ball, Ouija board, dice, coins, and straws.

The U.S. Constitutional shredder room, Closed to the public until January 21, 2009.

The museum will have an electron microscope to help you locate the President''s accomplishments.

They even have %u2018My Pet Goat%u2019 on tape so you can pause if something important comes up.

Admission: Republicans free; Democrats - $1000 or three Euros. You%u2019ll never wonder %u201CIs our children learning%u201D at the GWB Library, children get in FREE!!! (Our %u2018no child left behind%u2019 offer is valid for children with school vouchers only)%u2026.

[earache4]

The George W Bush Presidential Library is now in the planning stages. The Library will include:

The Hurricane Katrina Room, which is still under construction.

The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won''t be able to remember anything.

The Texas Air National Guard Room, tours optional.

The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don''t let you in.

The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don''t let you out.

The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.

The National Debt room which is huge and has no ceiling.

The ''''Tax Cut'''' Room with entry only to the wealthy.

The Donald Rumsfeld Room, Not the room you would want to visit, or room wish you had visited%u2026

The ''''Economy Room'''' which is in the toilet.

The Iraq War Room. After you complete your first tour, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth tour.

The *** Cheney Room, in the famous undisclosed location, complete with shotgun gallery.
(cont.)

[omnibus66]

I am reporting all anti Bush posts liberals! He is still president and you can still be arrested for making such comments. This is America you know.

Posted by lady_organs at 08:38 AM : Dec 04, 2008
------------------------------

While it may be true that one can be arrested for threatening the President, criticism is allowed. It''s called freedom of speech.

This is America, you know.

[earache4]

I am reporting all anti Bush posts liberals! He is still president and you can still be arrested for making such comments. This is America you know.
Posted by lady_organs at 08:38 AM

You''re going to be busy today....

[irmcvet971]

I am reporting all anti Bush posts liberals! He is still president and you can still be arrested for making such comments. This is America you know.

Posted by lady_organs at 08:38 AM : Dec 04, 2008


Oh shove it MORON! You freaks and your "Liberals" BS have gone on for far to long and have done way to much harm. Now go POUND SAND and let people express themselves as they see fit. That Pathetic piece of HUMAN Trash YOU call a President stopped being that a LONG LONG time ago.

[jaqmaq]

Let''s see if I understand your point. It is OK to scrape off the top of a mountain when the terain dictates the necessity of it to build a new mall or manufacturing facility. It is OK to alter the course of streams or rivers on flatter land to build interstate roads or shopping malls. However, it is a cardinal SIN to move the top layer of soil to mine coal, even though it can help us to become less dependent on countries whose history has often been hostile and whose citizens foster hatred of the US (in principle) from generation to generation. It does not matter that in many areas where surface mining is common, land for homes and industry becomes available. It is acceptable for cities to continue to build skyward altering the visual landscape. It is unacceptable to lower the mountaintops to mine coal in a safer way where usable land is a hell of a byproduct.

[irmcvet971]

If the power companies run out of coal and you idiots don''''t have any electricity. I want to see what you idiots have to say then. When your children are freezing to death. Get the coal or die.

Posted by mr22587 at 08:43 AM : Dec 04, 2008

This is our major problem in this nation today. People with a 6th grade education that can''t read or understand the problem. They are easy pray for those who are so greedy they will destroy EVERYTHING. This poor uneducated loser doesn''t have a clue what''s being talked about, he has NEVER once even read the Regulations... he''s just someone who never progressed far enough to thing for himself so he allows those, who HE thinks are strong, to think for him. They are very very sad and should be looked upon in that way. VERY SAD!!

[earache4]

If the power companies run out of coal and you idiots don''t have any electricity. I want to see what you idiots have to say then. When your children are freezing to death. Get the coal or die.
Posted by mr22587 at 08:43 AM

What about electric customers on wind, solar, hydro-electric and nuclear power? Will they die to? Do you have something to scare them with? Can they share in your paranoia?

[grumpas]

What hasn''t that dimwit Bush destroyed in this country?????? I am going to get arrested lady organs?????

[usclimey]

Let''''s see if I understand your point. It is OK to scrape off the top of a mountain when the terain dictates the necessity of it to build a new mall or manufacturing facility. It is OK to alter the course of streams or rivers on flatter land to build interstate roads or shopping malls.

Posted by jaqmaq

No - it''s wrong to do that as well. It''s because of careless, ceaseless development in wilderness ares of So. Cal. that fires, floods and mudslides have become more destructive over the years.

[ici2i]

OK, if we can allow the mining industry to destroy our environment, why not let the rest of break all the rest of rules? Our waste water treatment plant costs us a fortune so how about we just *** in the river from now on? As for the emission controls on my car that cost me gas mileage, I removed them. Erosion control on my construction projects; they''re history too. I could go on and on and everything will be cheaper but only in the short term - my life time -because that''s all I care about. Isn''t that about right GW? And as for the things I would say about "my" president, LADY-ORGANS, you can stick them where the sun doesn''t shine for you are one blind and ignorant person.

[briannorwood]

Here is the option. GET THE COAL OR DIE...
You choose... Posted by mr22587

-----------

Typical of the binary logic employed by the Limbaughs, Hannitys, Palins and Coulters of this world. Also similar to the analytical processes employed by two-year-olds.

Well done!

[earache4]

Here is the option. GET THE COAL OR DIE...
You choose...
Posted by mr22587 at 09:11 AM

OR....Get wind, it blows....or how about.....Get geothermal, it rocks....or.....go with the flow, get hydro?

[ici2i]

No - it''''s wrong to do that as well. It''''s because of careless, ceaseless development in wilderness ares of So. Cal. that fires, floods and mudslides have become more destructive over the years.

Posted by usclimey

You are right on usclimey! We can have development of malls and highways but there is a right way and a wrong way and a place for all if done with care and concern. It will cost more in the short term but will save countless dollars in the long run. If you know anything what-so-ever about environmentally sound construction methods and practices, you would know it benefits us all now and in the future. If not, take a look at New Orleans and other development in flood plains or absent ocean buffers and tell me how much of you''re paycheck willing to fork over to fix the damage now and forever.

[inventagod2]

*********, we got our work cut out for us Dems...

Thanks, Bu$$$h.

[ici2i]

Shame on you!


Posted by lady_organs

Yes, I am ashamed for alot of reasons but not about my freedom of speech, expression or thoughts. Would you take that away from me too? I would consider you to be an anti-American for criticizing and theatening those who express their disdain for our current dministration.

[bjcone8559]

What''s next?

Bush seems to be on a ''Scorched Earth'' mission.

I''m convinced that the ''Monkey-Boy'' will not be happy until he leaves the Whitehouse smouldering.

Why can''t he occupy himself torturing small animals or squashing bugs for the next 47 days?

[rukus888]

...there''s a village in Texas preparing to receive their idiot back...
-rukus888-

[littlebit123]

Nothing more than illegal strip mining with the name changed to protect the guilty. Our country is our childrens'' heritage and Bush is having is surgically removed. A criminal who belongs in prison until the temperature in Satan''s fireplace is 32 degrees.

[ofbyfor3]

God put streams on the earth so man would have a place to put his mining waste. Why else are they there liberals?

Posted by lady_organs at 08:32 AM : Dec 04, 2008

You''re such a flaming TROOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!

[terrapin78]

Bu$h is working on his Presidential Legacy.

But he is making all of the wrong moves. History will judge this Administration EXTREMELY HARSHLY. And these last minute Executive Orders will seal the deal as Worst President Ever!