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.