Hearings set in 6 states on proposed stream protection rule

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Federal regulators plan to hold public hearings in six states on a proposed stream protection rule.

The U.S. Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation says the proposed rule overhauls a set of regulations that are three decades old.

Under the proposal, coal companies would be required to avoid mining practices that destroy drinking water sources, permanently pollute streams, threaten forests and increase flood risk.

Companies also would be required to restore streams and return mined areas to their previous uses and form.

The first hearing is set for Sept. 1 in Denver. Other hearings are scheduled Sept. 3 in Lexington, Kentucky; Sept. 10 in Pittsburgh and St. Louis; Sept. 15 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia; and Sept. 17 in Charleston, West Virginia.

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