The purpose of this handbook is to examine in regard to the United states of America the effects of mining on the environment and environmental laws that deal with mining. First, an historical perspective is presented. The next two chapters outline pertinent federal and state laws. Following are five key chapters which together form the technical heart of the handbook, dealing with the whys, whats, hows and whos of mining environmentalism. The next ten chapters treat specialized mining situations, deal with costs and financial assurance requirements, and depict or amplify the preceding information. The handbook concludes with a chapter that evaluates current and future perspectives.
