Other Action Requests and Alerts

Posted 8/21/2003

UPDATE on Katuah Earth First! action at Zeb Mtn - a Great Success!

Keep checking this new KEF! Zeb Mountain site for IMAGES (not yet posted) of the anti-MTR banner hang, still in place after 24 hours, on a double-sided billboard up on a hill beside I-75!!! ***

DONATE to offset costs of action, fines & court fees -

Katuah Earth First!
POB 27855
Knoxville, TN 37927

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BELOW

1) Knoxville News-Sentinel on the Blockad

2) TAKE ACTION - write to TN's Governor & federal TWS contact (sample letters & email included - please 'flood' them with letters)

But First, some background -The basics - TVA recently raised their rates, saying it was for the cost the higher-sulfur bituminous coal found in the Cumberland Plateau, with seams of the same up into KY & OH.

This shift in demand is already evident, not only in the Zeb Mtn-top removal, but also in the recent TVA EIS to activate their mineral rights in the Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area, involving 56,000 acres of clearcutting, chipping & stripping. Conveniently, an International Paper chip mill borders the WMA.

There are other pending coal mining permits all over TN & KY. Citizens are recommended to FOIA the Office of Surface Mining (federal agency) in their state for all pending coal mining permits.

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State News Briefs for August 19 - Knoxville News-Sentinel 

Three protesters arrested at Elk Valley coal mine

Three environmental activists protesting coal mining activities on Zeb Mountain at Elk Valley in Campbell County were arrested Monday, authorities said.

The three members from the Katuah Earth First! had blocked an access road with concrete-filled barrels, and had their arms chained to the barrels.

Katuah Earth First! argues that the project will destroy habitat for endangered species and ruin opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities in the area.

Arrested were John E. Johnson III, 33, of Whitwell, Tenn., Daniel B. Anderson, 22, of Knoxville, and Matthew A. Hamilton, 22, of Signal Mountain. All three were charged with criminal trespass. They were released Monday afternoon after appearing in court and paying fines and court costs of $189.50 each, said Lt. John Finley of the Campbell County

Sheriff's Department.

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PLEASE WRITE TO:

Dr. Lee A. Barclay
US Dept. of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
446 Neal St.
Cookeville, TN 38501

Phone: 931-528-6481 ext 212
Email: lee_barclay@fws.gov

Dear Dr. Barclay -

I am extremely concerned that the Zeb Mountain mining project willdestroy habitat for a number of endangered species such as the black sided dace (a small fish), the Indiana Bat (a hibernacula is within 2 miles of the mining and blasting), and several freshwater mussels. It will also destroy streams, forests and mountains that are still trying to recover from past logging and mining abuses.

Every coal mining permit issued by OSM should be preceeded by a full Environmental Impact Statement to guage the full impacts of the mining on surrounding communities, endangered species, flooding risk, streams and water quality, and so forth. Please make sure this occurs!

Mountain top removal has already terrorized West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia. It typically uses 100 times the amount of explosives used in the Oklahoma City bombing, more than enough to cause serious structural damage to surrounding homes and churches.

What mountaintop removal does to surface and groundwater is criminal in terms of our future. The General Accounting Office recently released a report saying that the United States faces water shortages that could have "severe economic, environmental and social impacts."

In burying hollows with valley fills-more accurately called valley DUMPS-the coal industry is annihilating all kinds of biologically crucial fauna. Valley dumps destroy the energy and nutrient flow created by headwater streams, thus endangering the balance and life of downstream rivers.

Note that for every acre of valley dump, at the very least, two acres of land surface are lost. That's because the natural terrain of Tennessee's mountains has lots of nooks and crannies, which add surface area and which are perfect habitat for biologically important critters.

Remember that forests and streams are intimately tied together in the web of life. And remember that we humans are part of that web of life. If we allow coal companies to continue to destroy the land and water that sustain the forests and the rivers, then we allow the coal companies to destroy our future.

Sincerely, Your name & address

AND

Governor Bredesen
Tennessee State Capital
Nashville, TN 37243-0001
Phone: 615.741.2001

Fax: 615.532.9711
phil.bredesen@state.tn.us

Dear Governor Bredesen;

I am concerned about a new method of surface mining called "Cross Ridge Mining". "Cross Ridge Mining" is simply a new word for mountain top removal.

I'm particularly concerned about the mountaintop removal mining of Zeb Mountain in Campbell and Scott Counties that uses -- in this case -- mining through the 3 peaks of Zeb Mountain. In addition, I want to see the state oppose the mining of the Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area, and the accompanying destruction of 56,000 acres of forest habitat and natural beauty.

I don¹t want to see the devastation that has happened in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia happen in Tennessee. Mountaintop removal has terrorized the parts of these states where MTR occurs! It typically uses 100 times the amount of explosives used in the Oklahoma City bombing, more than enough to cause serious structural damage to surrounding homes and churches. In addition, MTR coal mining by whatever name decimates communities, vastly exacerbates flooding, buries biologically-critical headwaters streams, and destroys habitat for endangered species and potential tourists!

What mountaintop removal does to surface and groundwater is criminal in terms of our future. The General Accounting Office recently released a report saying that the United States faces water shortages that could have "severe economic, environmental and social impacts."

I am asking you to help by considering the potential damage that can occur with these experimental strip mining methods in a heavily populated rural area, and relaying your concerns to TDEC. I am also asking that you do not allow what has occurred in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia to occur here. PLEASE keep mountain top removal out of Tennessee!

Sincerely,

Your full name and address

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Christina Wulf
Virginia Forest Watch
Charlottesville, VA
434-971-7678

www.virginiaforestwatch.org