A district court upheld a surface coal mining permit issued to a company even though the cotenant objected to any mining on the property. The company cotenant conveyed the right to enter and surface mine coal to an affiliate, but the other cotenant did not consent to surface mining. Nevertheless, th...
OSM adjusted for inflation the level of civil monetary penalties assessed under SMCRA.
OSM proposed to approve an amendment to Pennsylvania's regulatory program under SMCRA; the amendments revise Pennsylvania's Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conversation Act to include language clarifying the circumstances where a finding of presumptive evidence of pollution is warranted under the commonwealth's Clean Streams Law.
OSM announced the withdrawal of proposed amendments to Arkansas' regulatory program and abandoned mine land reclamation plan under SMCRA due to inconsistencies with federal rules.
The D.C. Circuit denied environmentalists' attempt to challenge an NRC decision to issue a uranium mining license in Wyoming. The mining company sought a license from NRC to mine uranium at the Ross Project in Crook County, Wyoming. NRC conducted an EIS and granted the license. Environmental groups ...
The Fourth Circuit denied a coal company's petition to review an ALJ decision that found that a widow was entitled to survivorship benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act. The coal miner in question worked in coal mines for 34 years, was a regular smoker, and retired in 1993. He developed serious...
The Tenth Circuit held that a coal mining company was entitled to judicial review of a DOI decision after a lower court dismissed the suit. In 2013, the company was cited by DOI for a violation of SMCRA. In 2015, the mining company filed a notice of appeal and a petition for stay pending appeal with...
DOI approved an amendment to the Pennsylvania regulatory program under SMCRA that further defines the implementation process for the reclamation of alternative bonding system "Legacy Sites," and clearly identifies the current list of Legacy Sites.
OSM proposed to approve revisions to Alabama’s abandoned mine land reclamation plan to reflect changes in the federal regulations.
DOI is soliciting comments on Virginia's proposed amendments to its permitting procedures under the SMCRA.