PRINTER'S NO. 2376
No. 142 Session of 1979
INTRODUCED BY J. L. WRIGHT, JR., BURNS AND B. F. O'BRIEN,
OCTOBER 29, 1979
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL-STATE RELATIONS,
OCTOBER 29, 1979
In the House of Representatives, October 29, 1979
1 WHEREAS, It is generally recognized that the overlapping and
2 often contradictory authority of various Federal and State
3 agencies engaged in the regulation of the surface and deep
4 mining industries has resulted in unreasonable and unnecessary
5 burdens being placed on the economies of coal producing states,
6 particularly in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
7 WHEREAS, The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
8 Enforcement (OSM) has continually failed to recognize or adapt
9 to the unique topography, climate and problems indigenous to the
10 coal mining industry in the individual coal producing states;
11 and
12 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has historically
13 recognized and excelled in the promotion of the environmental
14 and economic well-being of the State while regulating the
15 surface mining industry within the State; therefore be it
16 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives memorialize the
1 Congress of the United States to amend the Surface Mining
2 Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (P.L.95-87) by amending
3 Section 503(a)(7) of the act, by striking the phrase
4 "regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to" and in section
5 701(25) of the act, by striking the phrase "and regulations
6 issued by the Secretary pursuant to this Act," in order to
7 authorize the coal producing states to establish surface mining
8 and reclamation programs, within their respective states,
9 consistent with this act, without the further requirement of
10 consistency with the Federal rules and regulations; and be it
11 further
12 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the
13 Congressional delegation representing the Commonwealth of
14 Pennsylvania.
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