Rob Perks's Blog
Bush Admin Loves Coal Mining, Hates Mountains
October 21, 2008
Posted by Rob Perks in Curbing Pollution , Health and the Environment , Solving Global Warming , U.S. Law and Policy
The moonscape below is a former fully-functioning ecosystem -- now devoid of forests, wildlife, wetlands and waterways that are characteristic of a mountain.
This is so-called mountaintop removal coal mining -- the most destructive strip mining practice on earth -- which is ravaging Appalachia. To date, coal companies have leveled nearly 500 mountaintops throughout the region. They have the Bush administration to thank for that.
Here is an excellent New York Times editorial, and a Washington Post story about the issue.
This environmental tragedy is a national travesty, although most people outside West Virginia don't even know that mountaintop mining is happening. This has to change, especially since the Interior Department last week proposed relaxing rules to permit the dumping of mining waste in the valleys, burying the rivers and streams below.
The sad fact is that mining companies routinely do this without fear of enforcement from state and federal environmental agencies. But now the Bush administration wants to legalize this appalling activity as a parting gift to its Big Coal benefactors.
The proposed rule would rewrite a regulation enacted 25 years ago that bars mining companies from dumping tons of rock, debris and other waste within 100 feet of any intermittent or perennial stream if the disposal affects water quality or quantity. Despite the 100-foot buffer requirement, over a thousand miles of streams have already been polluted or buried due to lax enforcement over the past eight years.
Obviously, the Bush administration wants to codify this illegal activity before a new administration takes office. The public has 30 days to comment before the rule is finalized.
NRDC is committed to fighting mountaintop removal. You can help by submitting your comments.
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Comments
Britten Cleveland — Oct 21 2008 10:58 PM
The people of Appalachia have a cultural history that is intimately tied to their environment. They rely on the mountain's resources for many of their needs. The coal mining companies are taking all of this away from them and not giving them ANYTHING in return. Clear cutting their forests, polluting their air, polluting their water, flooding their valleys, killing native species... The list goes on! This injustice has to stop! The Bush Administration ought to be thoroughly ashamed and will certainly go down as the WORST administration in US history.
Dave Reid — Oct 22 2008 03:59 AM
More people need to see pictures like these to realize what is going on.. It's just shocking.
Stan Kjar — Oct 22 2008 11:18 AM
The real target shouldn't be Bush. He isn't going to listen. The real villain is Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall. Rahall is from West Virginia and he supports this practice. Why does the post not mention Rahall? We need to work with him.
Rob Perks — Oct 22 2008 11:48 AM
Good point, Stan. We actually do still have the opportunity to fight the Bush administration's new rule change that would essentially legalize mountaintop removal. Of course, Congress can help by passing the Clean Water Protection Act, which would shore up the law against dumping mining waste in streams. That bill currently has 150 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. Alas, Rep. Rahall is not supportive -- and neither are any of the WV congressional delegation. Clearly, the problem won't be solved by relying on legislators in Appalachia, most of whom are beholden to the coal companies. To win this political fight we need to make more American across the country aware of the issue, and urge them to press their elected officials to stop mountaintop removal coal mining. Thanks for your input!
Kirsten — Oct 22 2008 01:12 PM
Thanks for this post and the link to take action. And especially for the photo! I just wish it was easier to tell how massive the scale of this picture is. More people need to see this stuff.
I read somewhere a while ago that the coal mining companies will leave a buffer of mountains and trees so that you can't see these horrible sites from roads and public places, trying to keep what they're doing a secret by keeping it away from public view. Is that true?