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 THE 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
the 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 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 the 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 certain 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 wetlands of
significant size and value that are created as a result of substantial surface
mining activities 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 the Interior, and the Director of the Office of Surface Mining.
