Article published Jan 13, 2006
LETTERS
Mountaintop removal mining harms nature

The tragic deaths in West Virginia's Sago Mine remind us of the precarious nature of life in the coal industry. Mining has a devastating impact on land, water quality and wildlife, too. Mountaintop removal mining is quickly moving into the mountains of Tennessee, with four mines operating currently and the prospect of at least 12 more to come. Efforts are now underway to protect Tennessee's Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area, Sundquist Wildlife Management Area, Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area and other areas from coal removal.

Mountaintop removal mining causes not only the destruction of beautiful mountain peaks but fouled streams and flattened forests. After a mountaintop is dynamited to reveal a coal seam, the coal is scooped out layer by layer.

The wasted land and toppled trees are bulldozed down into the valleys, covering and killing flora and fauna, and devastating streams and wildlife habitat. What remains is a ruined landscape that allows runoff and erosion. Mining companies attempt to reclaim the land by hydro-seeding and planting trees on the unstable, spongy residue, but rains send landslides of muck flowing down the mountains. Farmland and streams are further fouled by cadmium, arsenic, acid and other toxic spoils that leech from the mine sites. This is the fate awaiting the stately mountains and proud communities along the Cumberland Plateau if we allow this practice to invade Tennessee.

Mountaintop removal mining does not create jobs. A small crew with bulldozers and backhoes can cause untold environmental damage.

Tennessee's mountains are a gift to be cherished and protected. Water quality laws are in place to protect mountain streams from the polluting effects of mountaintop removal but they must be enforced. If you agree, contact Gov. Bredesen (phil.bredesen@state.tn.us). Ask him to enforce existing laws and keep mountaintop removal mining out of Tennessee.

GAIL GILLIS

Clarksville 37042