SMCRA in the states: Wyoming's perspective
Surface mining often arouses an image of ravage-and-run coal-mine operators chewing up rural America and leaving a devastated landscape of gaping holes, toxic drainage, landslides, and pollution. This portrait usually is accompanied by debates over whether the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) is working. These debates only fuel confusion and misperceptions about Western coal mining. Ten years after SMCRA's passage, the author feels we should move beyond the question of whether the federal law is working; instead, we should shift the discussion to who is working and to what the achievements and problems have been. Since creation of the federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) in 1977, Wyoming and other western states have fought for a state policy role under SMCRA. From Wyoming's perspective, OSM has not improved administration of surface-mining laws or advanced on-the-ground reclamation efforts. The author thinks it has been counterproductive - state priorities have been forced to shift from regulating and assisting coal-mining companies to responding to OSM's distant and bureaucratic procedures.
- Research Organization:
- Office of the Governor, Cheyenne, WY (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6983814
- Journal Information:
- Forum Appl. Res. Publ. Pol.; (United States), Journal Name: Forum Appl. Res. Publ. Pol.; (United States) Vol. 3:1; ISSN FARPE
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
012020* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Surface Mining-- (1987-)
017000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Legislation & Regulations
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
294001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
COAL INDUSTRY
COAL MINING
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAWS
MINING
MINING LAWS
NORTH AMERICA
POLITICAL ASPECTS
REGULATIONS
STATE GOVERNMENT
SURFACE MINING ACTS
USA
WYOMING