Since the local media will most likely drop the ball on this I thought it would be a good idea to post about it while there is actually still time to comment.
Army Corps of Engineers working to address mountaintop removal coal mining concerns
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is undertaking a process designed to limit the use of Nationwide Permit 21 to authorize surface coal mining and the discharge of the resulting dredged or fill material into waters of the United States in the Appalachian region of the following states: Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia until it expires on March 18, 2012. The Corps goal is to enhance environmental protection of aquatic resources by requiring surface coal mining projects in the affected region to obtain individual permit coverage under the Clean Water Act (CWA), which includes increased public and agency involvement in the permit review process, including an opportunity for public comment on individual projects.
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In accordance with the suspension and modification procedures provided in the NWP regulations, public comment is invited, and a public hearing may be requested. After evaluating all comments pertaining to the proposed suspension and modification that are received in response to this notice and any public hearings, the Corps will publish its decisions concerning the NWP 21 suspension and modification in the Federal Register. If NWP 21 is suspended, the suspension would remain in effect until NWP 21 is modified or expires, or until the suspension is lifted.
Written comments, including requests for a public hearing, must be submitted on or before August 14, 2009.
Excerpts taken from – http://www.clarksvilleonline.com
The top link will take you to the rest of the article which contains directions on how to submit your comment to the Corps.
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