Thursday, October 18, 2007


HOPE?
Received in my e-mail box last week:

'You are receiving this email in response to your request relating to the proposed rule that the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement published on August 24, 2007. Among other things, the rule would place additional restrictions on the construction of excess spoil fills and clarify the stream buffer zone rule.

After reviewing the requests that we received, OSM has decided to extend the deadline for receipt of comments on the proposed rule until November 23, 2007. We also will be holding public hearings to accept testimony on the proposed rule at four locations on October 24, 2007. All hearings are scheduled to begin at 6 pm and end at 9 pm.

The hearings will be held at the following locations:

· Holiday Inn Charleston ( Charleston House), 600 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston , West Virginia .

· Hazard Community & Technical College , Hazard Campus, Jolly Center , Room 208, One Community College Drive , Hazard , Kentucky .

· Pellissippi State Technical Community College , Goins Auditorium , 10915 Hardin Valley Road , Knoxville , Tennessee .

· Ramada Inn Washington, 1170 West Chestnut Street , Washington , Pennsylvania . '

It's still not too late to comment. The link is HERE. Hubby's taking off of work next week so we can go to the hearing nearest us to voice our concern on this new Concession to the Coal Industry. If any of these locations are near you, please go and let your voice be heard.... or just show up for support.

P.S. Blog Post of Note:
Here is one blogger's first-hand encounter with Mountain-top Removal... It's worth taking a look and really shows the scope of the devastation....

10 comments:

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

i just finished seeing the aerial pics on the other blog....it's harrowing to see such man made devastation inflicted on communities.....i really really wish something positive comes out of those hearings, Blue.

Halfmom, AKA, Susan said...

I wish that I was close enough to attend - thanks for taking up the fight for all of us that cannot - you know my love for those mountains.

photowannabe said...

I was devestated looking at the views. "funny" how changing the wording from strip mining to mountain top removal makes it sounds not quite so bad and not as destructive...
Wish I was closer to go to the meeting myself. I did write my Congressmen about it from your last post.

Anonymous said...

The pictures never stop shocking me - no matter how often I see them. By the way, I received email responses from all of my representatives regarding this issue. As you might suspect, the dems were more sympathetic to the problem, while the republican pointed out how much we rely on coal. He went on to say: "I assure you that I will work hard to ensure the safety of coal miners, the minimization of environmental impacts from local extraction, and support the development of new technologies to reduce and eliminate harmful emissions from coal-fired power plants."

bluemountainmama said...

june- actually, in our case, its the dems running the show: our governor, senator, representative, etc. they're pockets are lined with coal money and they are allowing this to continue and actually trying to make it easier for the coal companies.

thanks again for being active and contacting your representatives!

Rowdy said...

I have nothing more to say. The world needs more of your ilk.

Anil P said...

Turn the screws in so tight they'll leave the mountains alone.

All the best for the hearings.

Anonymous said...

Nice development in your series. I hope everyone will put an end to this travesty. It is a sad state of affairs we are in and after looking at those arial shots I don't understand how the EPA could even allow this if they were doing their job.

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

Hi Blue mountain mama,

I always like to read and see more , no knowing more about your country , whats going on and moving you!

:) I am back from my short trip to South of Italy, thanks for 'not forgetting me' I posted an overview of pictures from my holiday , soon more... Have a great sunday!!!

Greetings JoAnn:)

Anonymous said...

Citizens recently stopped a pipeline from coming through this area. The company doesn't admit that public outcry against it was what made them change their mind, but I think it was.