INDUSTRY SEEKS TO MAINTAIN GENERAL PERMIT USE FOR MOUNTAINTOP MINING

Mining groups are pressing the Bush administration to allow the continued use of "general permits" for Appalachian mountaintop removal coal mining, while simultaneously trying to block environmentalists' litigation that claims the permits are failing to protect streams. The administration, however, hopes to review projects on a case-by-case basis to determine whether general permits or more heavily scrutinized individual permits are needed for scenarios where mountaintop mining debris affects waters. General permits, under which projects are allowed if they comply with...