WV RULING RESTRICTS
MOUNTAINTOP MINING

The 1/3 Charleston Gazette reported a lawsuit brought by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy against the federal government over mountaintop mining may result in a moratorium on large-scale projects until federal agencies complete a two-year environmental study. Environmental studies will be required of every new mountaintop permit that proposes to fill a stream with a drainage of 250 acres or greater.  EPA Regional Administrator W. Michael McCabe said, "[Mountaintop mines] are going to have to undergo much more scrutiny.  This is something that should have been done before, but we're going to do it now."~The GrassRoots Environmental Effectiveness Network

EIS SAYS MINIMAL IMPACT
EXPECTED FROM MINE

The 1/7 Billings Gazette reported a Wyoming Bureau of Land Management environmental impact study on a proposed coal mine near Hanna, WY, concluded minimal impact to five species either listed or eligible for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The mine site is home to bald eagle, peregrine falcon, swift fox, mountain plover, and black-footed ferret, and is also crucial winter range for antelope.  Pending BLM approval, the Arch Coal Co. plans on opening the mine located in the Elk Mountain - Saddleback Hills in the year 2000.~The GrassRoots Environmental Effectiveness Network