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Court Ruling Threatens Appalachia's Ecosystem!
Target: Barack Obama, President
Sponsored by: Earthjustice
Sponsored by: Earthjustice
Mountaintop removal mining destroys entire forests and threatens nearby communities with floods and poisoned drinking water. Locals have described it as "strip mining on steroids."
Sadly, on February 13 a panel of federal judges ruled against the Appalachians and said: The Clean Water Act - as written - won't protect streams in this ancient mountain range. About 100 mountaintop removal mining permits were on hold pending this case. The ruling potentially opens the floodgates for more destruction in Appalachia. These permits will destroy 432 valleys and 213 miles of streams in Kentucky and West Virginia alone!
Tell President Obama to prevent this irreversible destruction and work quickly to undo changes in Clean Water Act rules that allow industries to bury streams and other waters under their wastes by calling it "fill" material.
Sadly, on February 13 a panel of federal judges ruled against the Appalachians and said: The Clean Water Act - as written - won't protect streams in this ancient mountain range. About 100 mountaintop removal mining permits were on hold pending this case. The ruling potentially opens the floodgates for more destruction in Appalachia. These permits will destroy 432 valleys and 213 miles of streams in Kentucky and West Virginia alone!
Tell President Obama to prevent this irreversible destruction and work quickly to undo changes in Clean Water Act rules that allow industries to bury streams and other waters under their wastes by calling it "fill" material.
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We took action on “Court Ruling Threatens Appalachia's Ecosystem!”!
# 3,160:
8:51 am PDT, Mar 16,
Christine Toffoli, Oklahoma
This damage is unfair, irreversible and dangerous. Blasting these mountaintops will permanately destroy valuble ecosystems both directly and indirectly.
This damage is unfair, irreversible and dangerous. Blasting these mountaintops will permanately destroy valuble ecosystems both directly and indirectly.
# 3,159:
5:56 am PDT, Mar 16,
Yvonne Harrison, Massachusetts
enough of destructive strip mining that has dire consequences for local populations and ecology...
enough of destructive strip mining that has dire consequences for local populations and ecology...
# 3,158:
4:27 am PDT, Mar 16,
Carmen Pang, Georgia
# 3,157:
8:55 pm PDT, Mar 15,
Steve Brush, California
# 3,156:
8:47 pm PDT, Mar 15,
Matthew Harty, Florida
# 3,155:
8:15 pm PDT, Mar 15,
Johanna Lachine, North Carolina
water is our lifeline. It grows the vegetables we eat and feeds the animals we eat. Without clean water we can't exist!
water is our lifeline. It grows the vegetables we eat and feeds the animals we eat. Without clean water we can't exist!
# 3,154:
3:54 pm PDT, Mar 15,
Chris Gueno, Maryland
# 3,153:
2:33 pm PDT, Mar 15,
Dave Thomas, Tennessee
We need the mountains more than the minerals. It needs to stop now. Thanks in advance for doing the right thing.
We need the mountains more than the minerals. It needs to stop now. Thanks in advance for doing the right thing.
# 3,152:
2:31 pm PDT, Mar 15,
James Burge, Indiana
As a frequent recreational visitor to W. Virginia, I am very concerned not only with the health and quality of the environment but also the local populace. While I understand that coal mining provides jobs during a critical time, the methods used are incredibly dangerous to both people and the environment and the outcome does not justify the means.
As a frequent recreational visitor to W. Virginia, I am very concerned not only with the health and quality of the environment but also the local populace. While I understand that coal mining provides jobs during a critical time, the methods used are incredibly dangerous to both people and the environment and the outcome does not justify the means.
# 3,151:
1:50 pm PDT, Mar 15,
Cynthia Ann Kotch, Texas
The coal industry is trying to convince Americans that coal is a "clean" source of fuel. What is so "clean" about the horrendous destruction (of these mountains and valleys) that is left in the wake of mining for this so called "clean" fuel? The irreparable damage that is done to the environment will never justify using this mining technique to extract coal.
The coal industry is trying to convince Americans that coal is a "clean" source of fuel. What is so "clean" about the horrendous destruction (of these mountains and valleys) that is left in the wake of mining for this so called "clean" fuel? The irreparable damage that is done to the environment will never justify using this mining technique to extract coal.
# 3,150:
1:04 pm PDT, Mar 15,
Kristoffer Bauer, Pennsylvania
# 3,149:
12:28 pm PDT, Mar 15,
TRACY MOORE, North Carolina
# 3,148:
11:56 am PDT, Mar 15,
Christine Chevallier, New York
# 3,147:
10:34 am PDT, Mar 15,
Sherrie Walters, West Virginia
# 3,146:
9:00 am PDT, Mar 15,
Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
# 3,145:
8:39 am PDT, Mar 15,
Mariana Fernandez, Indiana
# 3,144:
7:39 am PDT, Mar 15,
Anthony M. Quinn, South Carolina
I am certain the this kind of mining is detrimental to head waters and other primary sources of drinking water. I am a truck driver and have driven most of Appalachia and other source of power i.e. wind are being set up in some areas. Why not build more and send miners of coal back to school to to maintain wind, solar and methane(landfill) power production.
I am certain the this kind of mining is detrimental to head waters and other primary sources of drinking water. I am a truck driver and have driven most of Appalachia and other source of power i.e. wind are being set up in some areas. Why not build more and send miners of coal back to school to to maintain wind, solar and methane(landfill) power production.
# 3,143:
6:54 am PDT, Mar 15,
Denise Castro, Virginia
Please stop the madness!!!
Please stop the madness!!!
# 3,142:
6:05 am PDT, Mar 15,
Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
# 3,141:
3:27 am PDT, Mar 15,
Nuntanit Bumrungsap, Thailand
# 3,140:
10:59 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Breann Moore, Tennessee
My thoughts on this subject are the same as many I am sure. I feel that as a citizen I have the right to voice my opinion and my opinion on this subject is rather simple I feel very strongly about this and think that it is very wrong if it is going to hurt our environment than it should be illegal and people who do i should be punished in some way. Thank you
My thoughts on this subject are the same as many I am sure. I feel that as a citizen I have the right to voice my opinion and my opinion on this subject is rather simple I feel very strongly about this and think that it is very wrong if it is going to hurt our environment than it should be illegal and people who do i should be punished in some way. Thank you
# 3,139:
10:01 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Chris Litherland, Arkansas
This is absolutely insane that in todays day and age that strip mining companies are allowed to destroy some of the most scenic places and wild areas left on the east coast. This must be stopped now! Many endangered and threatened bird species and salamander species need this habitat to survive. We should not be able to destroy an environment in which these animals have lived in for millions of years due to a short sighted money hungry few.
This is absolutely insane that in todays day and age that strip mining companies are allowed to destroy some of the most scenic places and wild areas left on the east coast. This must be stopped now! Many endangered and threatened bird species and salamander species need this habitat to survive. We should not be able to destroy an environment in which these animals have lived in for millions of years due to a short sighted money hungry few.
# 3,138:
8:49 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Tom Boughan, Tennessee
# 3,137:
8:34 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Name not displayed, California
# 3,136:
6:28 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Name not displayed, Nevada
# 3,135:
4:01 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Thomas Robinson, Florida
Needless destruction does not have to continue...
Needless destruction does not have to continue...
# 3,134:
3:47 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Chaz Cuchens, Florida
# 3,133:
3:08 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Amelie Davis, Indiana
With true clean and renewable energy (this excludes coal gasification) needs for such destructive mining will be obliterated (pun intended). Therefore it is best to act now and make it harder for these companies to expand their operations and destroy more of the Appalachian. I realize you have a lot to deal with right now but this practice should have been banned decades ago and somehow it is still an issue. I hope that your presidency will be the one that bans mountaintop removal (as well as drilling in the Arctic refuse) forever. It is so tiring that these issues come up again and again.
With true clean and renewable energy (this excludes coal gasification) needs for such destructive mining will be obliterated (pun intended). Therefore it is best to act now and make it harder for these companies to expand their operations and destroy more of the Appalachian. I realize you have a lot to deal with right now but this practice should have been banned decades ago and somehow it is still an issue. I hope that your presidency will be the one that bans mountaintop removal (as well as drilling in the Arctic refuse) forever. It is so tiring that these issues come up again and again.
# 3,132:
3:00 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Name not displayed, Indiana
# 3,131:
12:54 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Name not displayed, Hawaii
# 3,130:
12:01 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Kathy Frazier, Ohio
Mountaintop removal destroys the oldest mountain chain in the world. It destroys fragile ecosystems and its waste is extremely dangerous to the Appalachian people. STOP MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL "MINING".
Mountaintop removal destroys the oldest mountain chain in the world. It destroys fragile ecosystems and its waste is extremely dangerous to the Appalachian people. STOP MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL "MINING".
# 3,129:
11:39 am PDT, Mar 14,
Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
It is ruining the environment and making residents gravely ill.
It is ruining the environment and making residents gravely ill.
# 3,128:
10:46 am PDT, Mar 14,
Name not displayed, California
Once distroyed there is no return. Protect and preserve our natural wildernesses in this country. It's all we have to pass on to future generations.
Once distroyed there is no return. Protect and preserve our natural wildernesses in this country. It's all we have to pass on to future generations.
# 3,127:
9:43 am PDT, Mar 14,
Nancy Dow, Florida
# 3,126:
9:34 am PDT, Mar 14,
Amber Yost, California
# 3,125:
5:32 am PDT, Mar 14,
SUSAN ANDERSON, Colorado
# 3,124:
11:24 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Shannon Martinez, Florida
# 3,123:
9:32 pm PDT, Mar 13,
JoAnn Durfee, Oregon
Please place a moratorium on this activity until a further in-depth scientific review is made. Degradation of water sheds, destruction of ecosystems, hazardous conditions for human health have all been noted at previous and present mountaintop removal sites. The damage is long-term at best, expensive to restore to a minimum level and produces jobs for people who then develop horrible diseases from their work and living conditions. Stop the new permits now and allow time for a thorough review with public input. Please.
Please place a moratorium on this activity until a further in-depth scientific review is made. Degradation of water sheds, destruction of ecosystems, hazardous conditions for human health have all been noted at previous and present mountaintop removal sites. The damage is long-term at best, expensive to restore to a minimum level and produces jobs for people who then develop horrible diseases from their work and living conditions. Stop the new permits now and allow time for a thorough review with public input. Please.
# 3,122:
9:29 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Amber Russell, Florida
# 3,121:
7:48 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Donald McBee, West Virginia
Esspecially here in WV we need to protect our mountains! Think about the future of our children. When the coal is gone, the rivers are gone what will be left for the next generation? Timber and Tourism is the only sustainable industries we have and once you destroy the moutains trees will not even grow, the tourist will not come, and our children will have to leave to servive. Think about it!!!
Esspecially here in WV we need to protect our mountains! Think about the future of our children. When the coal is gone, the rivers are gone what will be left for the next generation? Timber and Tourism is the only sustainable industries we have and once you destroy the moutains trees will not even grow, the tourist will not come, and our children will have to leave to servive. Think about it!!!
# 3,120:
7:06 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Tawnya Shields, Mississippi
# 3,119:
5:24 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Robert Pagini, Connecticut
# 3,118:
4:23 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Name not displayed, Michigan
well acually all i could say is that they need to stop destroying the appalachian mountains because it is a very place for most of us including me and not many places are important to me. well what i am saying is that you guys that is destroying the mountains is that i think you should stop.
well acually all i could say is that they need to stop destroying the appalachian mountains because it is a very place for most of us including me and not many places are important to me. well what i am saying is that you guys that is destroying the mountains is that i think you should stop.
# 3,117:
3:25 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Lee Emerson, Florida
This destructive technique is an abomination to our precious natural resources, wildlife and beautiful, historic mountains. There MUST be a point at which greed cannot be allowed to destroy eveything that we have.
This destructive technique is an abomination to our precious natural resources, wildlife and beautiful, historic mountains. There MUST be a point at which greed cannot be allowed to destroy eveything that we have.
# 3,116:
2:44 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Vivian Helliwell, California
I grew up in the hills of East Tennessee, between the Cumberland and the Smokey Mountains. The Appalachian Mountains are among the most beautiful areas of temperate rain forest in the world, with very old and unique plants and creatures-- ecosystems deserving of respect and protection. It is unconscionable to allow the coal industry, which is already destroying our waters and forests with acid rain and Co2 emissions, to destroy the forests and streams, the very topography, and the clean water beneficial uses of this very special region. Please stop mountaintop removal entirely!
I grew up in the hills of East Tennessee, between the Cumberland and the Smokey Mountains. The Appalachian Mountains are among the most beautiful areas of temperate rain forest in the world, with very old and unique plants and creatures-- ecosystems deserving of respect and protection. It is unconscionable to allow the coal industry, which is already destroying our waters and forests with acid rain and Co2 emissions, to destroy the forests and streams, the very topography, and the clean water beneficial uses of this very special region. Please stop mountaintop removal entirely!
# 3,115:
1:34 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Name not displayed, New Jersey
# 3,114:
12:18 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Edna Andreassi, New York
# 3,113:
12:08 pm PDT, Mar 13,
Angela Ackner, Florida
# 3,112:
11:13 am PDT, Mar 13,
Chelsie Legersky, Colorado
I AM OUTRAGED! I knew Humans were stupid, but this is beyond stupidity. What is the world coming to? Here in colorado our whistle pigs are inbred and unhealthy, i wonder why, we have pushed them into small breeding grounds. This isnt Rocket Science, The more we keep tearing apart our lands, the more UNHEALTHY our wildlife will be, which means we will be unhealthy. we need to STOP THIS MADNESS.
I AM OUTRAGED! I knew Humans were stupid, but this is beyond stupidity. What is the world coming to? Here in colorado our whistle pigs are inbred and unhealthy, i wonder why, we have pushed them into small breeding grounds. This isnt Rocket Science, The more we keep tearing apart our lands, the more UNHEALTHY our wildlife will be, which means we will be unhealthy. we need to STOP THIS MADNESS.
# 3,111:
11:03 am PDT, Mar 13,
David St.Thomas, Colorado
Water should always be protected, and it deserves our Love and our Gratitude.
Water should always be protected, and it deserves our Love and our Gratitude.
# 3,110:
10:58 am PDT, Mar 13,
Patricia Livingston, New York
# 3,109:
10:46 am PDT, Mar 13,
Lee Wiggins, Florida
# 3,108:
10:32 am PDT, Mar 13,
Terence Buckenmeyer, Florida
# 3,107:
10:13 am PDT, Mar 13,
Name not displayed, Maine
# 3,106:
9:52 am PDT, Mar 13,
Brenda T. Paradiso, Virginia
Please Mr. President, do not allow further destruction of our environment and desecration of these beautiful mountains.
Please Mr. President, do not allow further destruction of our environment and desecration of these beautiful mountains.
# 3,105:
9:16 am PDT, Mar 13,
Steve LaMere, Minnesota
# 3,104:
9:06 am PDT, Mar 13,
C. Andrews, Virginia
NOTE: DEAR PRESIDENT OBAMA, AND ALL LEADERS OF VIRGINIA -- Yes, while it is true that we need to provide jobs in rural areas, it needs to be done in a responsible manner. Mountain top removal is DEVASTING to communties and to the mountain environment. Wastelands of rubble from mining operations are replacing the beautiful mountain landscape, with boulders and rubble encroaching on privately owned lands, threantening homes and destroying property values, not to mention the destruction of beautiful mountain vistas, priceless to all. Are mining operations creating a legacy of TOXIC rivers, fish kills, displaced and endangered wildlife? Will we permit this same legacy to cause an increased rate of cancers, lung diseases and/or birth defects in children? Mountain streams and rivers are being polluted with devasting consequences, as well as water contamination threatening drinking water supplies for local inhabitants. Also greatly disturbing: Holding ponds of TOXIC mine waste water are being placed in dangerously high locations, including those that endanger homes, SCHOOLS and towns if the ponds embankments should overflow. Will the BLUE in the Blue Ridge be replaced by a river of blue tears instead? PLEASE HELP.
NOTE: DEAR PRESIDENT OBAMA, AND ALL LEADERS OF VIRGINIA -- Yes, while it is true that we need to provide jobs in rural areas, it needs to be done in a responsible manner. Mountain top removal is DEVASTING to communties and to the mountain environment. Wastelands of rubble from mining operations are replacing the beautiful mountain landscape, with boulders and rubble encroaching on privately owned lands, threantening homes and destroying property values, not to mention the destruction of beautiful mountain vistas, priceless to all. Are mining operations creating a legacy of TOXIC rivers, fish kills, displaced and endangered wildlife? Will we permit this same legacy to cause an increased rate of cancers, lung diseases and/or birth defects in children? Mountain streams and rivers are being polluted with devasting consequences, as well as water contamination threatening drinking water supplies for local inhabitants. Also greatly disturbing: Holding ponds of TOXIC mine waste water are being placed in dangerously high locations, including those that endanger homes, SCHOOLS and towns if the ponds embankments should overflow. Will the BLUE in the Blue Ridge be replaced by a river of blue tears instead? PLEASE HELP.
# 3,103:
8:31 am PDT, Mar 13,
Sima Razbi, California
# 3,102:
8:27 am PDT, Mar 13,
Marsha Milatzo, Virginia
# 3,101:
7:38 am PDT, Mar 13,
Christian Lagerstrom, Texas
Please stop these idiotic practices! Don't let these companies ruin our water!
Please stop these idiotic practices! Don't let these companies ruin our water!
