Wise County, Virginia

Over 80 people packed the Andover Methodist Church last night to voice their opinions on the proposed 1300 acre surface mining permit on Ison Rock Ridge near the town of Appalachia, Virginia.
Andover, Appalachia and the other surrounding communities that would be impacted by the permit sought by A&G coal company are at the heart of struggle between dirty coal and the future of Appalachia.

Members of Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards (SAMS), a community group based in Wise County, were successful at turning out a large crowd of area residents at the hearing. Of the 36 comments submitted, 33 were opposed to the proposed mountaintop removal site. Portions of the permit are inside the boundaries of the town of Appalachia and many people fear that blasting so close to their homes could have catastrophic results.

The town of Appalachia lies at the foot of Ison Rock Ridge and six ‘coal camp’ communities are situated along the ridge as it rises to Black Mountain and the Virginia/ Kentucky boarder. Ison Rock is the only ridge coming down from Black mountain that has not been totally devastated by mountaintop removal coal mining.

The hearing was conducted by the Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy (DMME), the state agency that regulates all mining activity. This was the second hearing held for this permit; the first was held on January 26th but was held at the DMME headquarters. SAMS members demanded that another hearing be provided within the affected area to provide a more appropriate venue for residents to speak out. A decision from the DMME about the permit can be expected in 60 days.

Last night’s hearing highlights the critical need for a new economic future for the coalfields. Those in attendance who support the coal industry spoke out saying that they have to put food on the table and send their kids to school. Clearly, we have to find a better way to support families than to blast off the tops of our mountains and bury and poison our streams.