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Before and after photos off the Hobet mountaintop removal operation on the Mud River in Lincoln County, West Virginia. PHOTOS COURTESY VIVIAN STOCKMAN AND THE OHIO VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION.
Free Aspen screening of award-winning documentary highlights impacts of destructive mining practices
By Summit Voice
SUMMIT COUNTY — Mountain people around the world share common values, including a passion for the environment and for the sanctity of the high country. But not all the mountains of the world are protected as national parks or wilderness areas. In some places they’re exploited for their natural resources in ways that are almost inconceivable.
Since the Bush administration opened a few key loopholes for mining companies, mountaintop removal mining has boomed in Appalachia, resulting in widespread impacts to the environment, and growing concerns about how the damage is affecting human health and welfare in the region. More than 2,000 miles of streams have been buried by mining rubble in Appalachia.
Environmental groups, including Earthjustice, want to reform mining laws and close loopholes that lead to severe environmental degradation and potential impacts to human health from mountaintop removal mining. CLICK ON EITHER IMAGE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OHIO VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION.
Earthjustice, a nonprofit legal group working in the public interest, will spotlight those concerns with a free Aug. 18 screening of a documentary film in Aspen. The award-winning Coal Country will show at the Aspen Institute’s Paepcke Auditorium at 8 p.m. (100 N. 3d street) with limited seating and RSVP’s required. Use this link to reserve a spot, and click here to get more information on the film.
“Imagine waking up to see a mining company blowing up Mt. Royal, Quandary Peak or Buffalo Mountain,” said Liz Judge, a campaign manager for Earthjustice working on the national effort to halt mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia. ”Imagine watching the tops of the mountains surrounding you get blasted with explosives to extract the coal underneath, and the resulting rubble dumped into crystal-clear Tenmile Creek.
“Your way of life, your cherished environment is gone, never to be brought back again. But that’s not even the worst of it. The rubble that is dumped in your streams is full of dangerous heavy metal contaminants and carcinogens, and the levels in your water supplies are threatening your health. Your creeks and streams have been buried,” Judge said.
And while the mountains of West Virginia may seem a long way from home, Summit Residents don’t have to look to far to see a similar example at the Climax Molybdenum Mine near Fremont Pass, where the mountain is literally being torn down in the quest to extract ore.And residents of the Crested Butte area are concerned about a molybdenum mine proposal for a favorite local recreation peak.
Mining reform is needed to protect mountain communities from the impacts of destructive practices, and the Obama administration is on the right track, according to Earthjustice. Currently, the EPA is looking at the environmental effects of mountaintop removal mining and could soon make some decisions that may help curtail the damage.
Visit the Earthjustice website to learn more about the campaign to stop mountaintop removal mining, and watch the group’s video on the subject below.
Filed under: Environment, Summit County Colorado Tagged: | Aspen, Coal Country documentary, Earthjustice, Environment, mountaintop removal mining, Summit County News
Powder's falling at Monarch!! Have you reserved your spot yet?
Innovative energy underwrites coverage of energy stories.
It would appear the photographer panned his camera to far to the right-I’m seeing RECLAMATION in the photo. Oh my God! This man WON’t be winning any awards at the environmental reporter awards.
Hey, wheres the corverage about the shrimpin industry firing back up in the gulf.
I’m sure not going to eat any shrimp out of the Gulf. And anyway, the real news is that researchers from the Univ. of Georgia and the Univ. of South Florida are finding deep sea oil all over the place. Look for the story.
Join us on September 25-7 in Washington, D.C. at Appalachia Rising, a mass mobilization calling for the abolition of mountaintop removal and surface mining. Appalachia Rising is is a national response to the poisoning of America’s water supply, the destruction of Appalachia’s mountains, head water source streams, and communities through mountaintop removal coal mining. It follows a long history of social action for a just and sustainable Appalachia.
Appalachia Rising strives to unite coalfield residents, grass roots groups, individuals, and national organizations to call for the abolition of mountaintop removal coal mining and demand that America’s water be protected from all forms of surface mining.
Appalachia Rising will consist of two events. First, the weekend conference, Sept. 25-26, Appalachia Rising, Voices from the Mountains will provide an opportunity to build or join the movement for justice in Appalachia through strategy discussions and share knowledge across regional and generational lines. The second event on Monday, Sept.27, is the Appalachia Rising Day of Action which will unify thousands in calling for an end to mountaintop removal and all forms of steep slope surface mining though a vibrant march and rally. An act of dignified non-violent civil disobedience will be possible for those who wish to express themselves by risking arrest.
For more info, visit appalachiarising.org