Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 25, June 22, 2024
Section 9.144 - Guiding future mining(a) There are many areas with coal reserves which also have environmental values of Statewide importance. These areas may have streams exhibiting high quality or low fertility, wild or natural characteristics, outstanding scenic beauty, or other unique ecologic values which may be important to the overall environmental quality of the area. In many of these areas particular environmental values or associations of environmental values are highly vulnerable to degradation throughout the coal extraction process. In these areas, the stringent enforcement of existing regulations may not protect the overall environmental quality of the area.(b) It shall be the environmental policy of the Commonwealth to protect unique and fragile ecologic values and outstanding natural resources in areas with extractable coal reserves by guiding future mining activities into those locations which may be adequately protected through the existing regulatory process or by adopting special protection measures in sensitive areas.