This has got to be one of the stupidest ideas I’ve ever heard of.

Strip-mining regulations may be revised to relax rules on environmental damage

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration wants to quit requiring coal-mine operators to prove that their surface mining will not damage streams, fish and wildlife.Under proposed new regulations that it will put out today for public comment, strip-mine operators would have to show only that they intend “to prevent [such damage] to the extent possible using the best technology currently available.”

So… What’s to keep them from saying that they “intend” to prevent damage, then doing whatever they want? I’m speechless.