This Day in History: 1977-08-03

Mine regulation law signed on this day in 1977 by US president Jimmy Carter. It is, at best, a “watered down” version of a law that was originally supposed to regulate surface mining of coal. Environmentalists say it has allowed mountaintop removal mining, one of the worst environmental practices in one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions.  Millions of acres have been turned into moonscapes, without any hope of forest regeneration.  Even the most basic requirement that coal operators restore the land to its original contours is not enforced, according to environmental organizations like  Appalachian Voices.