Mutual Cooperation between EPA & WV Mining Company

News Release by Date:

"Statement From EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson", Release date 01/07/2010. http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/F60AC1DCE5DB20BF852576A4006700E2

Contact Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355

Today's announcement from West Virginia state government shows "critical acknowledgement" of the human health affects felt by mountaintop mining operations. The part of the announcement that gave hope, was that the EPA will assure the Clean Water Act is adhered to by the Permittee's who hold now have received permits to mine at Hobet 45 mines.

Interesting,

'The Hobet 45 mine permanently protects streams, maximizes coal recover and
reduces costs.'

It is important that citizens "inspect" the public notice section of the local newspaper, attend public meetings, submit public comments when something important to your habitat is about to change.

Coordination and dialogue are always vital, so is preserving our planet that it may continue to support human life.

"West Virginia officials are strongly encouraged to work in conjunction, not
apart from the federal Environmental Protection Agency."

Thank you for all you do. Peace.

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

EPA Awards Over $700,000.00 to Arkansas Dept of Health!

Today (12-02-2009) the EPA announces that they have awarded $735,920.00 to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).

For Arkansas residents who are on a community water system, these funds are to "ensure" that they are recieving clean and healthy drinking water. These monies will be used to make sure that these community run water drinking systems will comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. These are federal regulations that supercede State regulations or non-regulation.

Arkansas is in the Region 6 of the EPA. For contact information, the contact given is Dave Bary at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/0BBEA527A31E05AF852576800057EA51

Really?

http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/ftproot/pub/WebDatabases/InspectionsOnline/041079-Insp.pdf

Back in Arkansaw, a court jester had been found to make the Regents chuckle..."Everyone knows the peons do not decide what is right or what will be. Once we have made a decree, it shall not be challanged!" We know what is the Best to do by the BananaKins of Arkansaw.

Perhaps it is childish to refer to these situations as fairy tales;
considering in this case, Fiction must needs be easier on the
soul.

Wick and the Wicked Water Stealers...

To Quote a social activist:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
Once upon a time there was an enchanted place called Arkansaw. Arkansaw was a place for agricultural industry, timber, livestock. Every weekend the inhabitants could go just a few miles and find the most beautiful creeks, streams, rivers and lakes. If a person had a hankering, they could dig fossils and arrowheads all day. Arkansaw was a sportsman's paradise. Why, a man could stand on any creek bank, throw a string with a drilled penny, and a hook and catch a fish; without bait.
About 20 years ago, the woods were so dense, that an airplane could go down in the Ozarks and never be found. Oxygen was good. Arkansaw formed the APCE Commission in 1949. It was for the benefit of industry more for the protection of the Environment. At the time of inception 4 citizens were on the board, today; only "experts" in environmental matters can sit on the board. Citizens are not really welcome although they cannot bar them.
Less than a decade ago, a warrior was able to retire. He found a beautiful spot in Arkansaw. It had the most beautiful pristine perennial primitive creek running through it. Sir Wick had been injured many times in his years of battle, and had chosen this home to finish his days in peace. At the same time the Wicked Water Stealer's were busy scheming to create a fancy moat dock and recreation area. One day, he took a bulldozer and damed up the creek.
At first Sir Wick didn't understand what was happening, but soon he learned the Wicked Water Stealer had a plan to have a famous castle with tourists and boats and all kinds of "progress". WWS didn't have the required knowledge, specs or permit to dam up this water of the United States, but he knew his way around the Snake Bellied money mongers, and he did it anyway. He got help and has never gotten in trouble for stealing this water of the United States.
Sir Wick doesn't have long, and it is appearant that those who regulate are most concerned with money than doing the right thing. Oddly enough, those regulators who are always protecting pollutors and Wicked Water ruiners never have any money. All of their programs that oversee the Wicked Water, Air and Land ruinors are broke and have no ability to oversee what they are to be protecting...it must be an Evil Spell sent to make "wrong" mean "right" and "right" agrees with big energy and big money.
This is not the end of this tale; only the first installment.