"Streamsaver Bill" Gets Hearing...Finally, and A Vote

"Streamsaver Bill" Gets Hearing...Finally, and A Vote  Posted: March 7, 2008, Kentucky Resources Council
After several sessions languishing in the Natural Resources and Environment Committee without being heard, the "streamsaver bill," which would require improved management of soil and rock removed during surface coal extraction, received a hearing in two meetings of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee. The March 4 meeting, available on line here , provided two expert witnesses discussing the values of headwater streams and the impact of dumping of mine "spoil" in those headwaters, as well as an explanation of the bill by its author, KRC's Director. The March 5 meeting included testimony from coal industry representatives and from KFTC members, and is on line here . The bill failed to pass out of committee.