Take Action: Urge President Obama to Overturn the Bush "Fill Rule"

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ARMY CORPS: STOP USING A STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS

Visit WiseEnergyforVA.org for more video of the hearings, or visit our News page to read personal accounts of the incidents.

DEADLINE EXTENDED
Comment Deadline:
October 26, 2009

(0 days left)

On July 16th, 2009 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed the elimination of a streamlined permitting process—known as Nationwide Permit 21, or NWP 21—which allows coal companies to seek quick approval for their mountaintop removal coal mining projects without allowing for public comments or carefully considering the environmental impacts on that stream or watershed.

Please take a moment to tell the Corps that you support ending this streamlined permitting process for mountaintop removal coal mining projects.

Public hearings on this proposal were held throughout the region on October 13th and 15th, 2009 and citizens on both sides of the issue came out by the thousands to make comments. As you can see, pro-coal proponents used fear mongering and intimidation to try to drown out those speaking in favor of clean water and clean energy.

Roughly one-third of mountaintop removal coal mining projects are approved under nationwide permits, which means that eliminating the streamlined rule will help slow the pace of destruction in Appalachia.

COPY THESE BASIC COMMENTS INTO THE FORM BELOW, THEN ADD YOUR
PERSONAL TOUCH FOR THE GREATEST EFFECT.

I appreciate the Army Corps of Engineers following through on their agreement to end the use of “Nationwide 21” permits, which allow for streamlined approval of mountaintop removal operations in Appalachia. For decades, mountaintop removal coal mining and associated valley fills have had a devastating impact on local communities, the economy, and our environment. Using the more stringent “individual” permitting process and allowing increased public comment and community input on mountaintop removal operations is a step in the right direction.

We believe, however, that the Obama Administration can—and must—do better to protect American citizens in Appalachia. The Administration needs to end mountaintop removal today. No amount of regulation will make it safe, economically beneficial, or environmentally sustainable to blast apart our mountains and dump the toxic waste into our streams.

In their own public notice, the Army Corps of Engineers acknowledges the significant detrimental impacts that mountaintop removal mining and valleyfills are having on Appalachian communities and landscapes. It is inappropriate for the Army Corps of Engineers to continue issuing Nationwide 21 permits until this decision is finalized. In order to protect Appalachia and give community members a say in the process, the Army Corps of Engineers should halt the issuance of Nationwide 21 permits immediately.

I appreciate the Obama Administration's attention to the American tragedy that is mountaintop removal coal mining. The Administration, however, must take action to end mountaintop removal immediately and move Appalachia towards sustainable, long-term, economic development through clean energy and energy efficiency. To continue practicing and permitting mountaintop removal coal mining is a dangerous and economically disastrous proposal for our nation.

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The comment period has ended but THANKS for stopping by to TAKE ACTION!

Appalachian Citizens Law Center • Appalachian Voices • Appalshop • Coal River Mountain Watch • Heartwood • Keeper of the Mountains

Kentuckians for the Commonwealth • MACED • Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition • Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment

Sierra Club Environmental Justice • Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards • SouthWings • West Virginia Highlands Conservancy