Coal River Energy, LLC v. United States Department of Interior

MEMORANDUM OPINION

BARBARA J. ROTHSTEIN, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

This matter is before the Court upon consideration of Defendant’s motion for judgment on the pleadings. In its motion, Defendant argues that the Court lacks jurisdiction under 30 U.S.C. § 1276(a)(1) to review Plaintiff Coal River’s claims. The Court agrees that Plaintiffs claims must meet the requirements of § 1276(a)(1) and fail to do so. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS Defendant’s motion for judgment on the pleadings.

II. BACKGROUND

Congress passed the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (“SMCRA”), codified at…