Contact Administrator Lapp - phone: 215-814-2717; fax: 215-814-2783; e-mail:
lapp.jeffrey@epa.gov

The Region 3 Office is important because it oversees permits for mountaintop removal in Virginia and West Virginia, and has the potential to play a critical role in ending mountaintop removal. While we are heartened at the EPA's recent moves to curtail the effects of mountaintop removal, our water, land, communities and bodies are still being poisoned each day by the coal industry and it is unacceptable for the EPA to allow this to continue.

Six members of the organization Philly Against Coal joined Lorelei at the meeting, but EPA needs to hear from more of us.

Please contact administrator Jeffrey Lapp today. Here's a sample script::

"Hi my name is __________ and I'm calling from _______. I'm aware that a coalition of mountaintop removal activists met with you on Tuesday of last week. I'm urging you to continue these conversations and increase transparency with impacted community members in EPA's Region 3. I am eager for you to take a citizen-led flyover tour of the destruction rendered by mountaintop removal.

"Appalachians can't afford any new permitted mountaintop removal mine sites. We need you to protect the waterways and communities you are entrusted with and deny all new permits, including Coal River Mountain."

Please call Jeffrey Lapp at 215-814-2717 TODAY and ask him to increase transparency with impacted communities, do a citizen-led flyover, protect Coal River Mountain and deny all new valley fill permits. Thank you!

The state of West Virginia is trying to de-list a public road that runs right through the heart of the Blair Mountain battlefield. This would leave a large swath of the historic mountain in coal company hands, making any attempt at archaeological study or documentation extremely difficult. If this bothers you, please take action and encourage your friends and family to take action, too.

By June 17, please e-mail, fax or call WV Division of Highways Commissioner Paul A. Mattox, Jr., P.E  - phone 304-558-3505, fax 304-558-1004, e-mail dot.commissioner@wv.gov.

Mailing address: Commissioner, West Virginia Division of Highways, Capitol Complex Building 5, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV, 25305-0430

Be sure to make your subject line read: BLAIR ROAD ABANDONMENT - FR#09-1253-LG

Information from the Friends of Blair Mountain you can include in your communication:

- County Route 119/7 should remain in the hands of the public, especially since it is within the proposed boundary of battlefield that is eligiblefor listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The listing to the NRHP is currently is being sought, and the state should not abandont his road while the process is ongoing.

- Abandonment would cut off any public access to the site, and would place the southern end of the battlefield wholly in private hands.

- As of now, the state of WV does not spend any money whatsoever on maintaining the road. It does not cost the state anything, but has the potential to generate funds in the future.

- Alternative proposals for County Route 119/7 that could benefit the public over the long term should be considered. The road could serve as an interpretive hiking trail that showcases the history of miners’ struggles and the battle itself. There are many more possible usages and development ideas for the battlefield in which the road would play a central part, and these alternatives could generate long-term employment and public money.

- The Blair Mountain battlefield is a unique place for both West Virginian and American history. Archaeological research shows the material remains of the battle have a high degree of integrity, and much research needs to be done to better understand the battle. To hand over a crucial part of this battlefield to corporate interests would have negative ramifications for the preservation of this national treasure for future generations.

There will be lots of music, fun and fellowship, all at Camp Virgil Tate, near Charleston, WV. Learn more about: * organizing 101 * how not to burn out * understanding regulatory agencies*  talking to your neighbors about tough issues * conflict resolution *media *  building skills to become a more effective leader in your community * dismantling racism * developing economic alternatives * and much more.

Scholarships available! Click here to learn more and to register. The registration deadline is July 23 attend and July 16 to apply for financial assistance to attend. Please contact dana@TheAllianceForAppalachia.org with any questions, or call 304-546-8473

Please help spread the word! Post fliers in your community. Click here for a black and white flier to download and print or click here for a color flier.