EPA Makes Announcement Re: Clean Water Act Permit(s) for Mountaintop Mining.

News Release by Date:
"EPA Makes Announcement on Two Proposed West Virginia Mountaintop Coal Mines". Release Date 01/05/2010. Contact: Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355

"Appalachian coal mining has buried a estimated 2,000 miles of
streams in states including West Virginia. . .EPA has committed to use its Clean Water Act regulatory authorities to reduce environmental and water
quality degradation."

It is understandable that change happens slowly. Consider a mountain range. Talk about slow, it takes millions of years for mountains to grow (form). A short time for a new formation to push up through the surface crust is about 300 years.

The Appalachian Mountains were formed over a billion of years ago. ** Not only is it a geological prize. It enhances and supports entire Eco-systems including human Eco-systems. When large pieces of the earth are transformed by mechanical devices, it is very fast in geologic time. We cannot be sure of all the damage done. Throwing money at what could be structural global damage is not a fair trade.

Another aspect of the process of mountaintop mining is that this it is all for Coal Fire Plants! Hasn't it recently been decided that we must reduce carbon emissions and aren't consumer groups as well as the new EPA, calling for the reduction of Dioxins in the Air, Soil and Water?

I understand the need for jobs, but as a wise woman once said; "Hey, loggers, if you clear-cut all of the trees, you will no longer have a job." They clear-cut the trees, they are unemployed.

It is pleasing to know that mining companies will have to pay higher fees for destruction of the environment, but money cannot bring back ground to grow food in. Money cannot buy clean water, or fresh fish. Money can buy clean air for a few, but not the majority.

Look up for Energy, not down.

Thank you for all you do. Thank you for getting involved.

** http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/birth/birth.pdf