If anything, the reclaimed land is less suitable. This reflects badly both on the state Division of Environmental Protection and on federal agencies that have been doing a shoddy job of overseeing state regulators. In passing the 1977 law, Congress intended to allow the destruction of mountaintop removal mining only as part of a social compact in which coal companies left something better behind for communities. The corporations aren't living up to the bargain, and until now, state and federal regulators have let them get away with it. OSM would be taking a step in the right direction by refusing this change, and demanding that the state change all permits that received this designation.
Any fool can see that.
Write a letter to the editor.