Feds Seeking to Ease Rules on Dumping Mining Waste
into Rivers and Streams
October 21st, 2008 Posted in October 2008 | No Comments »
October 18th, 2008
Federal officials at the Interior Department are moving toward reversing a 1983 ruling that restricts the dumping of mountaintop mining waste within 100 feet of rivers and streams. Under the proposed change, the laws will be weak enough that mining companies will be able to dump their waste directly into our waterways.
The public has 30 days to comment before the government adopts this disastrous change.
You can help protect our rivers and streams! Write the EPA and ask them to uphold the existing law. You can do so at the Sierra Club’s website.
Full article here: New York Times.
One Voice Can Make a Difference!
October 10th, 2008 Posted in October 2008 | No Comments »Mary Anne Hitt is responsible for bringing the issue of mountaintop mining to the world’s attention. This type of mining involves blowing up a mountain in order to remove coal to supply electricity to our homes.
At present, over 470 Appalachian mountains have been demolished as a result of mountaintop mining. Mining waste is dumped into rivers and creates a toxic soup that destroys wildlife and pollutes water. Sometimes this waste escapes to flood the towns below, threatening communities.
Schools are located near these mining operations. Where there is coal extraction, there is coal dust, which causes Black Lung Disease.
Many generations of families have grown up at the doorstep of these mountains. Their children played amongst the beauty of these ancient, Appalachian giants just as they had as kids. Now the view out the window is one of total destruction.
Mary Anne saw what was happening and said enough is enough. She started a nonprofit called Appalachian Voices to bring awareness to the problem. She got Google involved in documenting the destruction. It is because of Mary Anne that the world knows the extent of mountaintop removal. Never underestimate the power of the individual!
What You Can Do
Do you live on the east coast? You’d be surprised to find that your electricity may well be supplied by companies that practice mountaintop mining.
Type in your zip code (above) to see how you are connected to mountaintop mining. From there you can fly over the mountains we have lost via Google Earth.
If Mary Anne can make a difference, then you can too!
To learn more, visit ilovemountains.org .
Chesapeake Watershed Forum
October 3rd, 2008 Posted in October 2008 | 2 Comments »I’m attending the Chesapeake Watershed Forum in WV this weekend, and staying at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center. The facility is situated near the Potomac River (pictured). I’m looking forward to sharing what I learn with you!
Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival
September 23rd, 2008 Posted in October 2008, September 2008 | 3 Comments »The largest environmental film festival in North America is coming to Baltimore!
click here to download flyer
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2008
Time: 6-9:30 p.m.
Location: The Brown Center
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
1301 W. Mount Royal Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21217
Map
Sponsored by Patagonia, the Herring Run Watershed Association and the Jones Falls Watershed Association.