SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 61
(By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President), Stollings, Browning,
Oliverio, Williams, McCabe and Plymale)
Urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to not veto the
permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the
Spruce Mine in Logan County, West Virginia.
Whereas, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit to
the Spruce Mine in Logan County, West Virginia after years of
intensive review, including the conclusion of a full environmental
impact statements; and
Whereas, In the course of its deliberations regarding the
Spruce Mine, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has raised
concerns regarding water quality; and
Whereas, Interpretations and implementation of West Virginia's
water quality standards is the responsibility of the West Virginia
Legislature and the West Virginia Department of Environmental
Protection, who has previously determined that the Spruce Mine
complies with the water quality standards, including the narrative
standards approved by the Legislature and implemented by the West
Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; and
Whereas, The permit has been in place for two years. The mine
has become operational and employees have been hired; and
Whereas, If the permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is vetoed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
the loss of jobs and investments at Spruce Mine Company in Logan
County, West Virginia, will have a major impact, not only to Logan
County, West Virginia, but will further impact the financial
stability of the State of West Virginia in an unstable economy;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby urges the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency to not veto the permit issued by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers for the Spruce Mine in Logan County, West
Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
and the members of the West Virginia Delegation to the Congress of
the United States, the President of the United States and the U.S.
Council of Environmental Quality.