U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the SecretaryContact: John Wright 202-208-6416 For Immediate Release: September 11, 2002 Regarding the U.S. District Court Decision
on Coal Mine Subsidence Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, the federal government filed its opening brief in appeal of a decision in which the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia banned underground coal mine subsidence in large areas of the country. Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton issued the following statement regarding the court's decision:"The District Court's decision interprets the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act in a way that could have a devastating impact on coal miners and their families. It could also have a significant negative impact on the economy. "Congress intended for the act to regulate coal mining subsidence and not ban it. The act allows carefully planned and controlled subsidence and requires that coal operators work to minimize any potential damage. Under the act, coal operators must also repair any subsidence damage to property or water supplies. "We believe that the law is clear, and as one of the agencies responsible for regulating the coal mining industry, we are committed to balancing the protection of our environment and providing for the energy needs of the nation. We can do both." - DOI - U.S. Department of the Interior |