Mountaintop Mining Policy Enforcement

Mountaintop mining is an environmental issue that impacts the central Appalachian region of the United States. This method of mining is done by stripping the forest and topsoil off a mountaintop then using explosives to blast through a rock layer in order to access the coal beneath. Much of this rock and debris is pushed into the adjoining valleys where it buries streams and contaminates water supplies with chemicals and trace metals. This process is having a negative impact on local ecosystems, regional watersheds, and ultimately human health. Mining operations are regulated under the Clean Water Act, Sections 402 and 404, as well as under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). However, as we have discussed in class, enforcement of this regulation has been inconsistent for many reasons. For a great overview of these aspects, please read this recent Time article on the battle over mountaintop mining.
The main reason enforcement has not been consistent is the conflict between economic and environmental concerns. Mining in central Appalachia is a major source of jobs and revenue for the regions and states where this activity occurs. Many local and state representatives, the official actors, are caught in the middle of this battle where on one hand they need to be seen as protecting the environment and on the other they are trying to protect jobs. The longer this tug-of-war continues, more damage is being done to the environment.
Political interest has also compounded the enforcement of regulation regarding mountaintop mining. Some believe that under the Bush administration the EPA did little to enforce regulation. There was a big push for energy independence and an all out effort to keep the cost of our energy low. Under the Obama administration and a new EPA administrator, no drastic steps have been taken to enforce regulation, but it is being looked at more closely. Late last year, the EPA held up over 79 mining permits. It appears this administration wants to be tougher on enforcing regulation to reduce the environmental impact of this mining process.
Activism is another relevant theme that falls under mountaintop mining. The people on the other side of the jobs and revenue fight, are the local citizens who want this practice stopped because of the negative environmental and health impacts. These unofficial actors have been vocal in there protest to have stronger enforcement of existing policy with the ultimate goal of having this activity stopped. You have already read about some of these groups in the links above.
As this method of mining gets more and more attention, the conflict between economic vs. environmental goals intensifies. This is fueled by activism as the enforcement practices of the policy were, for a long time, inadequate.
As EPP students, critical analysis of any environmental issue may reveal illustrations of the themes we talk about in class related to policy and planning. A better understanding of these themes and their application should lead to improved policy making that appeals to the affected communities.