Strip/Mining Amendments Pass in Senate - Report No. 24 - August 29, 1980

Sep 21, 2026

The 96th Congress, Report No. 24 (2nd Session) summarizes Senate and House actions in late August 1980. The Senate passed a measure attaching provisions that void federal strip-mining reclamation regulations while also weakening the 1977 Surface Mining and Reclamation Control Act, sending the amended bill directly to the House floor. The report further details House Interior hearings on an Omnibus Wild and Scenic Rivers bill concerning the Stanislaus River, including disputed reservoir-filling impacts, wildlife and historic resources, and competing positions on statutory protections and energy-water implications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Strip/Mining Amendments Pass in Senate

Senate action and bill provisions

House options after Senate passage

House Interior Hears Testimony on Stanislaus River

Omnibus Wild and Scenic Rivers bill overview

Key controversies and testimony themes

Proposed designation and timeline

Big Sur Coast Area Cleared by House

House approval and protection measures

96th Congress Report No.24 August 29.1980 2nd Session # Strip/Mining Amendments Pass in Senate The Senate voted to attach legislation voiding federal strip-mining regulations toan unrelated House-passed bill August 22.H.R.1197,a bi1l which would simplify the waythe government measures vessel tonnage,was passed by the Senate after it tacked on ameasure which would permit states to design their own land reclamation programs insteadof following regulations laid down by the Department of the Interior's Office of SurfaceMining.(See Report No.23,p.3.) Metzenbaum(Ohio)and John Melcher (Montana)maintaining federal regulations forreclamation of strip-mined farmland and rlver valleys.The two Senators had earlier ledunlimited debate on the measure August 21. The Senate passed a bill(S.1403)weakening the 1977 Surface Mining and ReclamationControl Act last year;when the bill reached the House,it was referred to the InterforCommittee,chaired by Rep.Morris Udall (Ariz.). Rep.Udall was one of the originalsponsors of the strip-mining bill,and has kept s.1403 in his committee,preventingfurther act.ion on it.The Senate's action sends the measure direct1y to the House floor,bypassing the Interior Committee. Several options now face the House: the amended b1ll can be accepted as is,whichHouse leaders consider unlikely. The measure can go to conference committee,but thestrip-mining provisions would be subject to a separate vote when the bi11 returns to theHouse.Or the whole vessel tonnage bill may just die without further action. # House Interior Hears Testimony on Stanislaus River The House Interior and Insular Affalrs Subcommittee on National Parks and InsularAffairs completed hearings August 25 on an Omnibus W11d and Scenic Rivers Bi11.Sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Philip Burton(Calif.),the bi11 proposes nine riversfor study or inclusion into the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Most controversial is a 91/2 mile stretch of the Stanislaus River in Californiaabove the New Mellones Dam,most of which would be eliminated if the reservoir behind thedam is allowed to fill completely.Secretary Andrus has stated that he is bound bylegislation authorizing the dam to fi11 the reservoir as planned unless the upriver areais declared wild and scenic.In addition to whitewater,this stretch of river is home toover 187 species of wildlife that inhabit the grassland,oak,chaparal1,cave andriparlan habitats found there.Also present are 600 nationally eligible historic andpre-historic sites. Conservationists are seeking a balanced compromise that would allow partial fi1lingof the reservoir,and the state of California takes a simflar position.Guy Ph1111ps,Assistant Secretary of the California State Resource Agency,testified that a moderatereservoir would "provide 100%of the flood control,fisheries and water quality goals asoriginally planned"wh±le preserving the un1que upriver recreational,natural andhistorical value. Proponents of a full reservoir,comprised mainly of representatives and residents otthe area around the dam,testified that anything but full utilization of the dam'scapacity is wasteful and that the water and energy a full reservoir could supply arecrucial to California. Although the figures were hotly disputed,advocates of themoderate reservolr proposal noted that under their plan .02-.03%of California energyneeds would be supplied while a full reservoir would supply a maximum of .05%,hardlyenough of a difference to warrant clafms by some witnesses of potential brownouts inCalifornia. Touching on irrigation needs,they noted that present flow rates andirrigation withdrawals would continue under the moderate proposal and prevent marginal1land (as defined by the Soil Conservation Service)from befng put into production aswould occur under the full reservoir scenario. Testimony by Rep.Fortney Stark(Calif.)indicated that the New Mellones Dam projectas planned would give resident farmers massive subsidies in the form of artific

FAQs

What did the Senate do regarding federal strip-mining regulations in Report No. 24?

The Senate voted to attach legislation that would void federal strip-mining regulations, modifying how reclamation programs would operate compared with Department of the Interior guidance.

What bill did the House Interior subcommittee hold hearings on regarding rivers?

The subcommittee completed hearings on an Omnibus Wild and Scenic Rivers Bill proposing study or inclusion of nine rivers into the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Why was the Stanislaus River reservoir-filling issue described as controversial?

A debated 91/2-mile stretch above the New Melones Dam could be eliminated if the reservoir behind the dam fills completely, while legislation constraints and differing conservation and proponent positions shaped the testimony.

Sep 21, 2026

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