Minimizing the Adverse Impacts of Surface Coal Mining on the Environment

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) established the nationwide program to protect society and the environment from the adverse impacts of coal mining. It was promulgated because there was a need to have standards to minimize the adverse impacts to the environment from coal mining while still providing for the nations need for coal as an energy source. SMCRA recognizes that economically viable coal mining is necessary to meet these energy requirements and that there will be impacts from these operations. However, the surface and underground methods used to mine coal can be designed to guarantee environmental protection, ensure mined-lands are restored to productive uses, and protect the public from danger. Prior to the promulgation of SMCRA coal mining left unreclaimed lands which caused water pollution, erosion, floods, slope failures, loss of fish and wildlife resources and dangerous highwalls. Today SMCRA requires the coal mine operations submit permits and plans prior to any coal mining disturbances. The permits have to include information about the permit and adjacent area, the mining operation plan, the reclamation plan, and predictions of the impacts to the environment. These permits are evaluated to ensure the mine plan is feasible, reclamation can be assured and the impacts to the environment have been minimized.