HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 37
(By Delegates Manuel, Doyle,
Johnson, Mahan and Buchanan)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make
a study of blasting and its effect on the environment and
our citizens' property.
Whereas, The Legislature and the people of West Virginia are
charged with prudent stewardship of the state's natural
resources; and
Whereas, The effects of blasting have not been ascertained
with specificity; and
Whereas, The Legislature needs accurate information regarding
blasting in order to make informed decisions regarding
legislation affecting our natural resources and our land;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to review, examine and study blasting with specific
emphasis on the following areas of inquiry:
(a) What are lasting effects of blasting on property within
a one-mile radius; and
(b) What are the effects of blasting in regard to well damage; and
(c) How do state laws enacted more than twenty years ago
correspond to today's modern technology and its effect on the
environment, and should these laws be updated; and
(d) How have state agencies responded to concerns of
citizens living near blasting sites, and have citizen concerns
been dealt with in a fair manner; and
(e) What are safe and acceptable levels of blasting noise
and whether legislation controlling blasting noise levels should
be developed; and
(f) Whether current statutory and regulatory law adequately
controls the time of day during which blasting is permitted; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government
and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature,
1999, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together
with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its
recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct
this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary
legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint
Committee on Government and Finance.