Beyer Introduces Legislation to Protect Streams and Lands Impacted by Mining

Congressman Don Beyer today introduced the CLEAN UP Mines Act to strengthen key environmental protections for streams and lands impacted by mining. The bill is inspired by the Department of Interior's Stream Protection Rule that established clear requirements for responsible surface coal mining while meeting the nation's energy needs.

"Reducing water pollution and other detrimental effects of toxic mining disposal is commonsense," said Rep. Beyer. "The provisions included in my bill to safeguard our waters and lands from toxic waste are necessary to protect our critical and fragile ecosystems, as well as the health and livelihood of nearby citizens and communities who depend on clean water."

"Congress acted in 1977 to eliminate the scourge of abandoned mines from coal communities. Now, nearly 50 years later, Congress needs to respond to the coal industry's pattern of avoiding its reclamation responsibilities," said Appalachian Voices Government Affairs Specialist Kevin Zedack. "Introducing these three bills is an important step to protect the health, safety and economies of coal communities across the country as the Trump administration attempts to artificially increase demand for coal."

The CLEAN UP Mines Act would require timely reclamation by setting enforceable deadlines for reclamation milestones and improve inspections and monitoring protocols for surface water and ground water during mining and reclamation.

The CLEAN UP Mines Act is being introduced as a part of a larger package, including Congressman Chris DeLuzio's Bond Improvement and Reclamation Assurance Act and Congresswoman Summer Lee's Coal Cleanup Taxpayer Protection Act, to reclaim abandoned coal mines throughout the Appalachian region.

Text of the CLEAN UP Mines Act is available here.