Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires state stream buffer zone management programs to use rules issued on December 12, 2008 regarding excess spoil, coal mine waste, and buffers for perennial and intermittent streams.

Highlights:

• Requires a stream buffer zone management state program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to implement the stream buffer zone rule regarding excess spoil, coal mine waste, and buffers for perennial and intermittent streams published by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement on December 12, 2008 (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Secretary of the Department of the Interior to complete certain tasks including, but not limited to, following tasks relating to the implementation of the rule (Sec. 2):
• Publish a notice after determining that all applicable states have fully incorporated the rule;
• Assess the effectiveness of the implementation during the 5 year period beginning on the date of publication;
• Carry out all required consultation on the benefits and impacts of the implemented rule to any threatened or endangered species; and
• Submit a report including an evaluation of the effectiveness of the rule and of any ways in which the rule inhibits energy production, and a description of any proposed changes that should be made to the rule and the projected costs and benefits of such changes.

• Requires a state with a state program to submit amendments to such program incorporating the rule to the Secretary no later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this bill (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the Secretary from issuing any regulations in this bill relating to stream buffer zones or stream protection before the date of publication of the study required by the provisions of this bill, unless it is a rule necessary to implement the December 12, 2008 stream buffer zone rule (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text