The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named the members of its Advisory Panel on the ecological effects of coal mining in Appalachia. Referred to as the Science Advisory Board (SAB), the panel will assist EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) in preparing a scientific assessment of the ecological impacts related to mountaintop mining and valley-fill operations. The evaluation is tied to EPA’s continuing regulatory focus on coal mining in Central Appalachia such as the April 1, 2010 “guidance” on application of the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act to mining permit applications. More information on the SAB panel, including a list of members can be found at http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/SABPRODUCT.NSF/81e39f4c09954fcb85256ead006be86e/acd3a1af5c7138e785257625006c891e!OpenDocument
For additional information contact jbostic@wvcoal.com