EPA: Concerned About Impact of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it is concerned that two new mountaintop coal mines in West Virginia and Kentucky would harm streams, and added Tuesday that it is reviewing other coal mining permit requests.

The EPA expressed its concern in letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Huntington, W.V. The EPA said in a statement that it has asked to meet with the Corps and mining companies seeking the new permits to "discuss alternatives that would better protect streams, wetlands and rivers."

"The two letters reflect EPA's considerable concern regarding the environmental impact these projects would have on fragile habitats and streams," said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in a statement. "I have directed the agency to review other mining permit requests. EPA will use the best science and follow the letter of the law in ensuring we are protecting our environment."

The EPA said that it is coordinating its action with the White House Council on Environmental Quality and with other agencies.

The EPA said that the Corps has been issuing far fewer permits in West Virginia since a court case challenging the issuance of permits began in 2007. As a result, there is a significant backlog of permits under review, and the EPA said it expects to be involved in the review of the permits.

-By Siobhan Hughes, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-6654; [e-mail]