[Old School]

I am truly undecided on this issue as I'm rather ignorant to the idea. Could some of you fill me in on your opinions?

About 20 years ago a law was passed requiring mining companies to maintain a 100' foot buffer zone around streams, meaning no mining or placing excess material in these streams. The big question now is what defines a stream, basically there are 3 types of streams that are in question Perennial, Intermittent and Ephemeral. 1) A Perennial stream carries flowing water continuously throughout the year regardless of weather conditions. 2) A Intermittent stream carries flowing water under normal weather conditions, but does not flow during the dry seson or minor drought periods. 3) Ephemeral streams only flow during a rain or snow event, basically surface runoff.

Anti-Coal groups want Ephemeral streams, dry streams, drainage ditiches etc. to be considered as a Perennial stream. The Coal Industry defines a stream as one that flows year round such as a perennial stream.

If Ephemeral streams were to be included in the 100 foot buffer zone, it would make valley fills used for placing excess material and sediment ponds which are used to collect water running off of mining operations before entering the stream channel illegal. Anti-Coal groups want you to believe that this will only effect Mountain Top Removal and Surface mining operation, which is completely false. By allowing Ephemeral streams to be included in the 100 foot buffer zone would have a major impact on underground mines that use Impoundments or Refuse Fills, which today is nearly 98% of all underground mines in the U.S. Without the use of Ephemeral streams for valley fills, sediment ponds, impoundments any new mining will be brought to a halt.