Mountaintop Mining : Background on Current Controversies

Author / Creator

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service. Resources, Science, and Industry Division

Available as

Online

Summary

This report is one in a series of updates. For the most recent coverage of this report series, please see 12-RS-21421h in the 2012 issue. Provides background on current controversies surrounding ne...

This report is one in a series of updates. For the most recent coverage of this report series, please see 12-RS-21421h in the 2012 issue.

Provides background on current controversies surrounding negative environmental impact of mountaintop coal mining on water supply and quality of valley rivers and streams. Describes regulatory requirements under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and the Clean Water Act (CWA), including criticisms and legal challenges to CWA regulation of mountaintop mining; and summarizes administrative actions and Congressional activity.

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