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Winds of Change Newsletter, December 2008 See sidebar for table of contents
Third Blessing on Gauley Mountain
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A road already cut up Gauley Mountain by
Powellton Coal is clearly visible from the New River Gorge
Bridge, just above the ridge in the foreground in the center of
the picture. photo by Bob Kincaid |
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On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Ansted Historical Preservation
Council hosted the Third Blessing of Gauley Mountain in Fayette County.
Powellton Coal, a subsidiary of Pittsburgh-based Consol
Energy, plans a 286-acre mountaintop removal operation that abuts Hawks
Nest State Park and would be visible from the New River Gorge Bridge
both major tourist attractions.
Mountaintop removal is proceeding, with a couple of high
knobs already blasted away. A road for the project is already visible
from the New River Gorge bridge.
Residents worry the mining will damage the regions
tourist economy, cause floods in Jodie and Ansted, destroy the areas
ecosystem, services, natural beauty and cultural resources.
Organizers sought permission to hold the Third Blessing
of the Mountain near the site of the current mountaintop removal
operation. Powellton cited safety reasons for denying that request,
pointing out that anyone who went beyond its gate would be subject to
prosecution. (Observers were seen in the forested slopes surrounding the
actual site of the Blessing.)
Longing and emotion poured out from the crowd in the
singing of this old hymn:
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains,
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up - to more than I can be.
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