If someone broke into your home, you would expect the law to be enforced against them, right? Unfortunately, across the US, homes and communities are being devastated by outlaw mining companies – and the agencies in charge of policing them have been asleep on the job. It's the job of the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement's job to enforce the laws governing mountaintop removal and other destructive forms of mining.

On August 6th, 2009, The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee will hold hearings to consider Joseph Pizarchik for the position of Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). To prevent further damage and to ensure proper reclamation, we need someone who is not from an agency with a history of lack of enforcement or calling for a weakening of standards.

Use the letter-writing tools below to tell Senate committee members that you are concerned about mountaintop removal and you demand that the new director of OSMRE be a strong reformer who will enforce the law.

SUBJECT: OSMRE director appointment

LETTER CONTENT: I am contacting you concerning the nomination of Joseph Pizarchik to the position of Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). I have severe concerns about this nomination, and hope you will share my concern during the hearing next Thursday.

An urgent situation has been created by years of lack of enforcement of mining and reclamation laws, and this has made it even more important that an appropriate Director for the OSMRE is appointed. An OSMRE Director must have a high accountability to the citizens of the coalfields, a willingness to fully and fairly enforce laws, and a strong commitment to science. Further, the candidate must be a strong reformer, with the ability to re-build and strengthen the OSMRE so the agency can fulfill its responsibilities. Looking at Pizarchik’s history, it is my opinion that he will not create the culture of enforcement and citizen participation necessary for the protection of our communities.

To prevent further damage and to ensure proper reclamation, we need someone who is not from an agency with a history of lack of enforcement or calling for a weakening of standards. Unfortunately, Pizarchik does not meet these criteria.

We encourage you to closely examine Pizarchik’s previous work, and ask hard questions about Pizarchik’s history as well as the direction of the OSMRE.

It is also essential that a citizens’ panel be formed for the hearing to allow citizens who have been impacted by Mr. Pizarchik work at the DEP of Pennsylvania as well as those who have been impacted by the policies of previous OSMRE Directors to express our extreme concerns and questions about this nomination.

We appreciate your efforts on these important matters.

Sincerely,