To amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to strengthen control of the environmental impacts of surface coal mining, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · April 18, 2024
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
The Stream Protection and Vegetation Restoration Act amends existing federal coal mining regulations to impose stricter environmental protections and faster reclamation timelines for surface coal mining operations. The bill requires coal companies to complete backfilling and grading work more quickly, with contour mines needing to finish within 60 days or 1,500 linear feet of coal removal, whichever comes first, and area mines within 180 days. It also establishes stronger monitoring requirements, including quarterly checks of surface water and groundwater quality during mining and reclamation, annual biological assessments of streams to track environmental recovery, and inspections of water control structures after major storm events. The legislation affects coal mining companies operating under federal permits and would be enforced by state and federal regulatory authorities through their existing oversight processes. The bill does not specify dedicated new funding but operates through the existing regulatory framework established by the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.