EPA WILL VETO PERMIT FOR STATE'S BIGGEST MOUNTAINTOP MINE - Adverse Effect On Habitat And Water Quality (10/19/2009) The federal EPA, invoking the Clean Water Act, is vetoing a permit for the largest mountaintop removal mine in state history. The mine, according to the EPA, would fill seven miles of WV streams with overburden, and would have a large-scale adverse effect on water quality. Mountaintop removal has already filled about 1000 miles of streams, with coal corporations claiming it has little impact on stream habitat or water quality. The veto will affect a mine permit being sought by Arch Coal.