Beshear opposes Bush weakening of Stream Buffer Zone in coal mining

Beshear objects to Bush waiver of Stream Buffer Zone in coal mining
Press Release Date:    Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Governor joined by Kentucky Attorney General Conway, Congressmen Chandler and Yarmuth in opposition to rule waiver

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear today formally objected to a proposed move by the Bush Administration to weaken restrictions that prohibit dumping mountaintop mining waste near rivers and streams.

The objection, contained in a letter from Gov. Beshear to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), contends that the proposed rule change, offered in the waning days of President Bush's term, would threaten the commonwealth's ability to protect its natural resources, including water and streams.

Gov. Beshear was joined in his objection by Attorney General Jack Conway and Congressmen Ben Chandler, of Lexington, and John Yarmuth, of Louisville, all of whom wrote individual letters of concern to the EPA.

"Kentucky's vast water resources are critical to our health and economic development," Beshear wrote in his letter to Stephen Johnson, EPA administrator, "and I do not believe the newly proposed waivers can be effectively and uniformly applied to protect these water resources..."

For the full press release, click here.

Please, also take a moment to call and/or email Beshear, Conway, Chandler, and Yarmuth and thank them for this positive step. You might also ask Gov. Beshear if this means he might start enforcing the stream buffer zone law in Kentucky. Currently, the state routinely gives coal companies waivers to bury streams.