Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Practical solutions for improving rural communities
front-page-banner-img

mining

EPA halts disposal of mining waste to Appalachian waters at proposed Spruce Mine

Agency cites irreversible damage to clean water, environment in the region

WASHINGTON (EPA) – After extensive scientific study, a major public hearing in West Virginia and review of more than 50,000 public comments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Jan. 13 that it will use its authority under the Clean Water Act to halt the proposed disposal of mining waste in streams at the Mingo-Logan Coal Company’s Spruce No. 1 coal mine.

The Rural Blog: Independent review supports EPA's findings of MTR on water quality

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency's independent Science Advisory Board's first draft review of EPA's research into mountaintop removal supports the agency's findings that mountaintop removal negatively affects water quality.

EPA proposes veto of mine permit under Clean Water Act

WASHINGTON (EPA) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on March 26 its proposal under the Clean Water Act to significantly restrict or prohibit mountain top mining at the Spruce No. 1 surface mine in Logan County, W. Va. Spruce No.1 mine is one of the largest mountaintop removal operations ever proposed in Central Appalachia. The project was permitted in 2007 and subsequently delayed by litigation. The Spruce No.