I work on a surface mine in Boone County and it bothers me to see that these environmental organizations put out so much false and misleading information that they are gaining the support of underground miners and their families in their quest to stop mountain top removal mining. West Virginia coal is West Virginia coal regardless of what form of mine it comes from. These organizations won’t just stop with MTR mines, MTR mines are just a stepping stone in their overall goal to stop the use of coal altogether.
Let’s address some concerns brought on by false information, with the truth.
1. Valley Fills – when done correctly have very minimal impact on the environment. Most valley fills are constructed with two (2) branches of ephemeral drainage. Therefore, they have not destroyed and covered a stream, which really only has water in it after it rains, but have extended it with the addition of the second branch that functions just the same as the original.
2. Lands are not permanently destroyed. This is ensured by the Federal Mine Reclamation Act of 1977. Mountains must be put back to within +/- (50’) fifty feet of their original contour as per a topo map.
3. Cemeteries are in no danger from mining operations due to a two hundred (200’) foot protective boundary that nay mine must allow, unless the families of the deceased agree to have the entire cemetery relocated at the mining company’s expense.
Now, let’s address the wind farm issue.
1. How do you think they are going to put 22 windmills on a mountain? They will cut the trees and level off the mountaintop. I have traveled out west and have seen wind farms and there are no trees around because trees block the wind.
2. What do you think they will do with all the excess material from the top of the mountain? They will make a valley fill which will be considered OK because it will be a necessity for economic development.
3. Rory McIlmoil should do a little more research on wind patterns. Fact: the wind velocity will increase on a reclaimed strip mine because you have fewer trees if the land is used before it is reforested.
4. McIlmoil is also wrong in regards to reclaimed land not being stable enough to support a wind turbine. Structures are built on fill material all the time.
5. There is no reason why this land can’t be mined first and then developed, along with the development and use of other reclaimed surface mines in the state in the interest of our state’s economy.
It is time for West Virginia miners – surface and underground alike – to stop being misled and misinformed and come together for the collective good of our industry which is the lifeblood of our state. West Virginia could not survive on what very little other industry or tourism it has without the support of West Virginia coal, and anyone who can’t see, don’t want to see, or understand this should move out of this state. Furthermore, I feel that anyone who is against mining coal should not have the use of electricity provided by coal fired power plants.
Kenneth Hutton,
Alkol
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