tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440581658671695475.post-18012979884167926302008-08-13T17:28:00.000-07:002008-08-13T18:03:13.422-07:00<div style="float: right;"> </div> <div class="timestamp" style="margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Citizens Protest Buffalo Mountain Strip Job</span><br /><br />Published: <div class="timestamp">Friday, July 25, 2008 6:16 AM CDT</div></div> <span>Logan Banner Staff Report<br /><br />VARNEY - More than 50 residents gathered at the old Varney Grade School recently to discuss their concerns for the 2,300-acre strip mine permit that will bring 12 valley fills to the area.<br /><br />"We know coal mining is important to our state and we are proud of our heritage as West Virginians," said Donna Branham, a Lenore resident and one of the organizers of the meeting. "I am here because I want the companies and the government officials to obey the law, and I know we can hold them accountable if we all stick together."<br /><br />Branham gave a welcoming presentation to start the meeting and then everyone took a turn to stand up and say what concerned them the most. Stated concerns included blasting damage to property, increased flooding, loss of protection from storms, dropped well water and contaminated water.</span><br /><br /> <span>"I was a strip miner," said Rush Farley of Pigeon Roost Hollow, "and I can tell you that every one of those things has happened and will happen, especially rocks flying off the hill. Some will be accidents, but accidents happen all the time on strips."<br /><br />"I am a member of the UMWA and of OVEC, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition. I am here because I believe that we need good jobs and we need more jobs in this county," said Terry Steele of Mate Creek. "I am here to support these people because I am against mountaintop removal, and I am for underground coal mining."<br /><br />"What can we do about our water?" asked Christie Thompson of Delbarton. "I don't want my creek poisoned. We live on Hell Creek and my kids play in that water. We rely on it."<br /><br />Branham explained that this permit, number S5018-07, is asking for seven different variances.<br /><br />"A variance is when the Department of Environmental Protection allows a company to be exempt from the law," she said.<br /><br />"Valley fills are against the law," said Jack Spadaro, former Mine Safety and Health Administration mine inspector, "they are in violation of the Clean Water Act."<br /><br />"These fills could also affect Chattaroy and Millers Creek," said Shana Hughes of Delbarton, "and we need all the help we can get in letting people there know what is being proposed."<br /><br />The creek that runs through Chattaroy is named Buffalo Creek, but it not the same Buffalo Creek as the one running through Logan County.<br /><br />The permit can be viewed at the Mingo County Courthouse and the Logan DEP office. The deadline for commenting on the permit is August 8.<br /><br />To contact other residents who are concerned, or to learn more about the permit, call 475-2529 and leave a message, or go to <a href="http://www.westvirginiafuture.org/">www.westvirginiafuture.org</a> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8440581658671695475-1801297988416792630?l=www.westvirginiafuture.org'/></div>Citizens for a Brighter Futurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09353065300992736824noreply@blogger.com0