SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 49
(By Senator Hunter)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study
sludge impoundments and mining subsidence.
Whereas, Breaks in coal slurry impoundments threaten the lives
and health of area residents, destroy homes and businesses and
contaminate water supplies; and
Whereas, Underground injections of coal sludge into old mines
have long been standard practice in West Virginia and is a
permitted process for storage of coal sludge; and
Whereas, A recent study of subsidence by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection found that longwall mining
removes most of the coal in large underground tracts which causes
the overlying rock to sag, resulting in subsidence at the ground
surface. According to the study, the timing and extent of this
subsidence is predictable and knowing when and where subsidence
occurs allows mine operators and surface owners to take steps to
avoid damage to surface structures and speeds the recovery of water
tables and streams; and
Whereas, It is incumbent on this Legislature to examine these
issues to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study sludge impoundments and mining subsidence; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2007, 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.