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1996 SESSION

960831727
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 64
Senate Amendments in [ ] -- February 9, 1996
Memorializing the Congress of the United States to support appropriate amendments to federal laws to encourage the re-mining of previously strip-mined sites.
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Patron-- Reasor
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Referred to the Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the Federal Surface Mining Act of 1977 has been adopted by the Commonwealth of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the current reclamation laws require complete elimination of all highwalls; and

WHEREAS, this requirement discourages the use and economical re-mining of abandoned strip mine sites in Southwest Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the re-mining of such abandoned sites would increase employment and provide usable reclaimed property for housing and industrial development; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly of Virginia appreciates and supports reasonable safeguards to protect watersheds, streams, water supplies and citizens; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly believes that government funds now being used to reclaim abandoned sites should be substantially used to supply potable water to coalfield residents; [ now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That and

WHEREAS, ] the Virginia General Assembly [ support supports ] the appropriate amendments to all applicable federal and state laws and regulations which would encourage and allow the re-mining of previously strip-mined sites under the appropriate safeguards to ensure protection of the public safety and welfare; [ now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Congress of the United States be urged to support appropriate amendments to federal laws to encourage the re-mining of previously strip-mined sites; ] and, be it

RESOLVED [ FINALLY FURTHER ] , That the Clerk of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia.