I borrowed the text below from the Allegheny Group web page. The Beyond Coal Campaign wants to organize a bus from Morgantown for the hearing. I am collaborating with the CCJ folks in Greene County for a bus that would leave Morgantown, (probably from the WVU Coliseum at 1:30 PM), with stops in Waynesburg and Washington, PA to be at the hearing from 5-8 PM. Current plans include food and free t-shirts (Our Water, Our Future) for people on the bus. Analysis of the rule, and laymen talking points will be out later this week.Please pass the word to anyone who might be interested, invite a friend, and join us on the bus. A A link to a Google-Form for bus sign-up will be coming soon. And drop me a line to let me know who is planning to join me! Just 17 days to go till the hearing!

Jim Kotcon 304-293-8822 (OFFICE) 304-594-3322 (HOME)

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Public Hearing on Rule to Protect Streams from Mining, Pittsburgh, Sept. 10 http://alleghenysc.org/?p=25631 September 10, 20155:00 pmto9:00 pm http://alleghenysc.org/?attachment_id=20892

Photo: Mountain Justice

A scientifically-based http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/08/15/Environmentalists-coal-operators-at-odds-over-proposed-science-based-mining-rules/stories/201508140117 new Stream Protection Rule http://www.osmre.gov/programs/rcm/streamprotectionrule.shtm proposed by the Office of Surface Mining will protect more than 6,000 miles of streams from the impacts of both surface and underground coal mining. With only six hearings scheduled in the country, here in Pittsburgh the public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed rule at:

*5:00 to 9:00 pm, Thursday, September 10* Double Tree Hotel in Green Tree 500 Mansfield Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15205

The Center for Coalfield justice is partnering with the Sierra Club to provide free transportation to and from Pittsburgh for the hearing.

Included in the proposal is improved monitoring and data collection of water quality, but of concern to environmentalist groups dealing with mountain top removal in Appalachia is the maintenance of the buffer zones between mining operations and streams http://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2015/07/groups-urge-stronger-protections-new-stream-rule. In 2008 the Bush administration modified the Buffer Zone Rule to provide a ‘minimum’ distance. After a court case in February 2014 the 100 feet wide buffer was restored. Now the OSM proposes to weaken the Buffer Zone Rule.