S-1329.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8015
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Senators Fraser, Swecker, Oke, McDonald, Wojahn, Deccio, McAuliffe, Hargrove, Rasmussen and Winsley
Read first time 02/06/95. Referred to Committee on Ecology & Parks.
TO THE HONORABLE BILL CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, AND TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING:
We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
WHEREAS, The preservation and enhancement of wetlands is extremely important to the state of Washington to protect wildlife habitat and viable waterfowl nesting areas; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act both place a high priority on the creation or restoration of wetland areas; and
WHEREAS, The Centralia Mining Company is the largest surface coal mining operation in the state and is unique among surface mines because of its location in Western Washington, which incurs a relatively high rainfall and can support healthy rechargeable wetlands; and
WHEREAS, The Centralia Mining Company has been diligent in its extraordinary reclamation efforts and concern for the environment as exemplified in their honor of receiving the prestigious directors' award from the Office of Surface Mining, Department of Interior, in 1991, and receiving a national award from the Office of Surface Mining for excellence in surface mining reclamation including the environmental benefits their wetlands play in enhancing natural wildlife and waterfowl habitat in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Ducks Unlimited, the largest private wetland conservation organization in the world, has affirmed their support for the need for the deep lake-like systems, intermediate-sized marsh areas, smaller seasonal wetlands, riparian stringers and other man-made wetlands which have been created on the Centralia Mining Company property; and
WHEREAS, The Centralia Mining Company location is in close proximity to the migration pattern of numerous species of ducks and geese; and
WHEREAS, Surface mining creates many opportunities for innovative final land uses during the ongoing reclamation process which could enable the development of new wetlands that can enhance fish and wildlife habitat as well as the development of recreational lakes for the enjoyment of Washington citizens; and
WHEREAS, The Centralia Mining Company is regulated by the Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining, and the provisions of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act; and
WHEREAS, The Office of Surface Mining rules and regulations for land reclamation have been very stringent and restrictive and require former-mined areas to be returned to the same land contours as prior to being mined; and
WHEREAS, There were limited wetland areas prior to the commencement of mining at the Centralia mine and if the regulations do not allow for a variance, then the mine would be obligated to eventually destroy the man-made features, including wetland areas and lakes that have been created in the mining process; and
WHEREAS, The Office of Surface Mining has recently been reevaluating their position regarding the retention and creation of wetlands in reclaimed mine areas;
NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Office of Surface Mining continue to be encouraged to expand its effort to find ways to preserve man-made wetlands during surface mining reclamation and to amend its rules and regulations in order to recognize the climatic differences of surface mine operations in differing regions throughout the United States and to allow the states to encourage their local mining industries to take advantage of the unique opportunities to preserve and enhance wetlands for the benefit of wildlife, fisheries, and recreation.
BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each member of Congress from the State of Washington, the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior, and the Director of the Office of Surface Mining.
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