At the State Capitol: Sludge Stories

February 2, 2006
Photos by Vivian Stockman

Coal Sludge and Slurry Harming Mining Community Safety

Following up on a January 10 visit to legislators, 19 sludge-affected residents from Logan, Mingo, Boone, Raleigh and Kanawha counties, four leaders of the faith community, four members of the West Virginia Environmental Council lobbyists and OVEC volunteers again converged on the State Capitol.

Carrying samples of sludge-contaminated water and aerial photos of coal sludge impoundments near coalfield communities, coalfield residents again asked legislators to take action to protect communities before the next sludge tragedy.

Photos from our visit to the State Capitol are below.
 

Before entering the State Capitol, Allen Johnson, of Christians for the Mountains, converses with Logan County resident Rosemary Vidovich, seated, and Joan Linville of Boone County.

Boone County resident Mary Miller displays a sample of Massey's latest nasty blackwater spill for a coal prep plant.

A Vanity Fair magazine photgrpaher follows our group into the State Capitol.

Carmelita Brown of Mingo County recounts to legislators her illnesses, which she feels are related to her sludge-contaminated well water.

Pauline Canterberry of Boone County makes a point as IndyMeida photgrapher Antrim Caskey documents the meeting.

Mingo County residents Ernie Brown tells MetroNews about the coal sludge ruining the groundwater in his and surrounding communites.