--- title: "Stream Protection Rule Repealed" canonicalUrl: "https://wyche.com/insights/blog/posts/stream-protection-rule-repealed/" excerpt: "Acting under the authority of the little-known Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn rules passed in the previous 60 working days, yesterday President Trump signed legislation repealing the Office of Surface Mining’s Stream Protection Rule, a key Obama administration regulation aimed at protecting waterways from coal mining waste.   The regulation stated that coal mines were prohibited from damaging the “hydrologic balance” outside their permit areas and established a protective buffer around streams.  The rule had a short lifespan, having been finalized in December 2016. The coal mining industry is applauding the decision, which industry officials say would be costly…
Read More" datePublished: "2017-02-17T15:21:00-05:00" dateModified: "2024-05-24T16:05:22-04:00" --- - Stream Protection Rule Repealed [Home](https://wyche.com/) » Stream Protection Rule Repealed [** Rita Bolt Barker](https://wyche.com/author/rbarker/) ** ** ** # Stream Protection Rule Repealed Acting under the authority of the little-known [Congressional Review Act](https://www.senate.gov/CRSpubs/316e2dc1-fc69-43cc-979a-dfc24d784c08.pdf), which allows Congress to overturn rules passed in the previous 60 working days, yesterday President Trump signed legislation repealing the Office of Surface Mining’s [Stream Protection Rule](https://www.osmre.gov/programs/rcm/streamprotectionrule.shtm), a key Obama administration regulation aimed at protecting waterways from coal mining waste.   The regulation stated that coal mines were prohibited from damaging the “hydrologic balance” outside their permit areas and established a protective buffer around streams.  The rule had a short lifespan, having been finalized in December 2016. The coal mining industry is applauding the decision, which industry officials say would be costly to implement and lead to additional job losses in an already struggling sector.  Speaker of the House [Paul Ryan](https://www.speaker.gov/press-release/statement-stream-protection-rule-cra-signed-law) stated:  “The Department of Interior’s stream protection rule—which is now repealed—could have wiped out one-third of American coal mining jobs.  Coal country will finally receive relief from the Obama administration’s eight-year war on affordable energy.”  Environmentalists are critical of the decision because they contend the rule was necessary to protect waterways from pollution and protect public health.  Southern Environmental Law Center Attorney Deborah Murray explains, “Limiting the toxic waste coal companies can dump in our rivers and streams is not a burdensome government regulation; it is common sense and, quite frankly, the job of our federal government.  We cannot continue to allow toxic mining pollution in our sources of drinking water.” [*](https://wyche.com/author/rbarker/) [## Rita Bolt Barker](https://wyche.com/author/rbarker/) Rita Bolt Barker is an experienced litigator and counselor, focusing primarily on environmental, commercial litigation, and insurance coverage matters. RELATED ARTICLES [](https://wyche.com/insights/blog/posts/ieepa-tariffs-struck-down-by-the-u-s-supreme-court-next-steps-for-importers/) ### [IEEPA Tariffs Struck Down by the U.S. Supreme Court: Next Steps for Importers](https://wyche.com/insights/blog/posts/ieepa-tariffs-struck-down-by-the-u-s-supreme-court-next-steps-for-importers/) Last Friday, the United States Supreme Court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) does not give President Trump authority to impose tariffs [](https://wyche.com/insights/blog/posts/jasper-county-selects-wyche-p-a-as-greenbelt-program-manager-to-oversee-94-million-conservation-fund/) ### [Jasper County Selects Wyche, P.A. as Greenbelt Program Manager to Oversee $94 Million Conservation Fund](https://wyche.com/insights/blog/posts/jasper-county-selects-wyche-p-a-as-greenbelt-program-manager-to-oversee-94-million-conservation-fund/) Originally distributed by Jasper County Administrator’s Office on September 9, 2026 Ridgeland, S.C. — Jasper County has selected Wyche, P.A., a South Carolina-based law firm, [* View All](https://wyche.com/insights/news-stories/) ## Stay in Touch Join one our mailing lists and receive regular updates! [Subscribe to Updates](/subscription) ## Contact Us * * Send Message - [Our Philosophy](https://wyche.com/our-philosophy/) - [Unique Culture](https://wyche.com/our-unique-culture/) - [Client Service](https://wyche.com/wyche-difference/) - [Global Reach](https://wyche.com/global-reach/) - [Careers](https://wyche.com/careers/) - [Locations](https://wyche.com/locations) - [Centennial](https://wyche.com/wyche-100/) [Linkedin **](https://www.linkedin.com/company/wychepa/) [Facebook **](https://www.facebook.com/wychepa?ref=hl) [Instagram **](https://www.instagram.com/wychepa/)