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| (Staff Photo/JULIA GOAD) THE STORY OF A FAMILY – Standing next to a list of concerns voiced by residents, Freddy Runyon tells the history of his family in Dan's Branch. He feels the community is threatened by a mining operation proposed for the hollow. |
Citizens voice concerns with proposed mining operation
By JULIA GOAD
Staff Writer
Published:
Saturday, August 2, 2008 1:39 AM CDT
About 20 people met with representatives from West Virginia Future, a grass roots organization which concerns itself with the mining industry’s impact on the environment and the families who live near mining operations.
The company which has obtained the permits to begin mining the Chattaroy/Miller’s Creek area is Consolidated Coal. The mining would be done in conjunction with construction of the King Coal Highway, part of which is now under construction near Red Jacket. Parts of the highway will be built on flat land created by mountain top removal mining.
Donna Branham was the unofficial spokesperson for the organization at the event. She said the community cannot depend on governing bodies to protect them and their property from the negative effects of coal mining. She said the organization has spoken many times with the Environmental Protection Agency, and that the agency itself says it is short staffed. “They told us they were five years behind on following up inspections,” she said. “And that there are over 100 vacancies at EPA.”
Branham said citizens must work together to protect their rights.
Among the concerns aired by citizens were contamination of water, transporting the coal after it is mined, damage to homes from blasting and loss of property value. But the biggest concern voiced was that of flooding. Freddy Runyon lives at Dan’s Branch on land his family has owned for three generations. He said he never thought flooding was a concern to him and his family due to the higher elevation of the hollow...
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Next Meeting: Buffalo Mtn. Permit Hearing
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When : Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 6pm
Where : Burch Middle School
Why: Let's stand together and support the people of Pigeon Roost, Hell Creek, Pigeon Creek, and other areas of Mingo County that could be impacted by the 14 valley fills and the 2300 acre mountaintop removal site.
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How Companies Get Around the Law: Variances
Ever wonder what the definition of a variance is? Ever wonder why the coal companies keep getting richer, and the mountain people keeps getting poorer? Ever wonder why hollows and stream are polluted, and why post mining land is unusable and unsuited for use, by the average citizen?
The definition of variance, as pertaining to the law is: a discrepancy between 2 statement, documents, or steps in a legal proceeding,….a dispensation to ignore a rule or law. In order for most mining permits, especially MTR permits, to be granted, a variance or variances are awarded to the coal mining companies. The laws are written to protect communities, their clean water, and personal property, however, it is more economical for the coal companies to mine coal the easiest way, blandly ignoring the hardship this places on the environment, the communities, and the lives of the people. MTR is the main source that is responsible for the devastation of our land, air, water, and communities. Yes, WV has an abundant of coal reserve. However, thanks to MTR and the DEP, coal miners’ job has decreased to less than 15,000 jobs. Instead of blowing off the tops of mountains and using gigantic machines, instead of valley fills, sludge ponds, and otherwise wrecking the land for future use, Why not deep mine? Why not have a stronger union that will enforce safety issues, give the worker the right to say “this is not safe” without fear of job loss or rebuttals?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ORGANIZE?
Ordinary People Come Together and Make Real Change.
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Mingo County, WV--Community Wins Emergency Alert System for Impoundments. In 2005, Delbarton residents successfully pressured county officials to install a "Reverse 911" emergency Alert system in the whole county. Now, if an impoundment breaks, a flood is coming, or another emergency situation arises, residents will receive a call telling them the news and the need to evacuate.
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Mingo County, WV--Community Wins Clean Water.Residents of Rawl met with a group of legislators at the state capitol to explain their issue and show legislators jars of their bad water. Though their own representatives were not willing to meet with them, residents gained power by making their issue a legislative one. They called the governor's office, and other legislators daily.. They also talked to reporters and documentary film makers, which brought public media attention to their plight.
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Citizens Coalition forces state LEP to study sludge. After they brought their dirty water to the legislature, they continued lobbying every Tuesday during the legislative session, sitting with legislators one-on-one to explain the situation and why we need to know more about what is in sludge. The study passed the legislature and force the DEP to address heallth impacts of sludge.
http://www.sludgesafety.org/
Safe Water and Strong DEP
JOIN US FOR SAFE WATER AND STRONGER PROTECTION FOR OUR HEALTH AND COMMUNITY, LETS WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO ENABLE THE STATE TO PROVIDE CLEAN WATER, A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AND PROTECTION FOR THE STATE’S MOST IMPORTANT ASSET ITS CITIZENS, AND THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN
Click here for more information on the petition
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