Pennsylvania Code
Title 25 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Part I - Department of Environmental Protection
Subpart A - Preliminary Provisions
Article I - Administrative Provisions
Chapter 9 - ENVIRONMENTAL MASTER PLAN
Subchapter B - POLICIES FOR CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES FOR COAL RESOURCES
Section 9.141 - Coal resources

(a) Because of the geographic extent of the coal reserves of the Commonwealth, increasing demands, and the potential for environmental degradation, areas with coal reserves are of Statewide importance. While recognizing recent Commonwealth proposals to encourage the production of coal, the overriding environmental concern is the need both to protect environmental values and reclaim degraded areas.

(b) It shall be the environmental policy of the Commonwealth to encourage the protection of ecologic, scenic, aesthetic, recreational and other natural resource values in areas with extractable coal reserves while supporting the preestablished Commonwealth policy of promoting coal production and to restore and reclaim those areas degraded by previous mining activities.

(c) The protection of environmental values will become more difficult as coal mining increases throughout the Commonwealth. To protect the environment throughout the coal mining process, it is essential that this Commonwealth develop policies for the wise management of the Commonwealth coal resources. The following policies provide for an environmentally sound course of action.