The U.S. Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) has now finalized its long-awaited rulemaking that will make amendments to its stream buffer zone (SBZ) regulations for surface coal mines.�

In mid-October, 2008, OSM released its Final Environmental Impact Statement. The rulemaking alternatives considered in the FEIS address two requirements of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA): to prevent additional contributions of sediment to streams outside the permit area, and to minimize adverse impacts on fish and wildlife and related environmental values. The alternatives were intended to address environmental concerns about the impacts of disposal of excess rock from coal mine excavation (“excess spoil”), coal mine waste, and other coal mining activities in and around streams.

Roundtable members may access more details on this issue and related information by logging onto the Roundtable Minerals Security Committee Online Headquarters, through the "Members" tab of the home page.