Ms. Sims Goes to Washington As Mr. Wiley Walks In

Lincoln County activist Versi Sims traveled to Washington, DC, in September for a Stop Mountaintop Removal lobbying week, organized by Appalachian Voices, with groups from across Appalachia.

The citizens met with congressional representatives to express their concerns about mountaintop removal strip mines and coal sludge dams. Sims and the others attended Ed Wiley’s Capitol Hill press conference.

"It’s time for our so-called leaders to stand up for the health and safety of West Virginians. That means they will have to develop the backbone to stand up to the coal industry – and turn down its campaign contributions," Sims said.

She also encouraged people to call Congress in support of the Clean Water Protection Act.

Sims then brought that message home. She and other members of the Left Fork Mud River Watershed Stream Partners Association asked the Lincoln County Commission to write the DC Congressional delegation, requesting they endorse the Clean Water Protection Act.

The commission agreed to do just that! This could be something you could do in your own county.

Call the OVEC office at (304) 522-0246 or e-mail vivian@ohvec.org if you would like a copy of the document Versi’s watershed group took before the Lincoln County Commission.