This is the "nationwide" permit that gives the coal companies new permits with little or no evaluation/analysis.
Jim Sconyers jim_scon@yahoo.com 304.698.9628
Remember: Mother Nature bats last.
--- On Thu, 10/22/09, Earthjustice Alerts action@earthjustice.org wrote:
From: Earthjustice Alerts action@earthjustice.org Subject: TAKE ACTION: Suspend Illegal Rubber Stamping of Mountaintop Removal Permits To: "Jim Sconyers" jim_scon@yahoo.com Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 6:32 PM
Tell Army Corps of Engineers: Suspend Illegal Rubber Stamping of Mountaintop Removal Permits
Tell Army Corps of Engineers: Suspend Illegal Rubber Stamping of Mountaintop Removal Permits
The Army Corps of Engineers needs to hear from you by Monday, Oct. 26 to close a loophole that is devastating Appalachia. Submit your comment at Regulations.gov!
Dear Jim, For decades, mountaintop removal mining has devastated local communities, the economy, and the streams and headwaters of Appalachia. Entire mountain ranges have been razed as coal companies found loopholes in the law to streamline their destructive mountaintop removal mining permits. Now, the Army Corps of Engineers is finally considering that "Nationwide Permits"—a streamlined approval process—are not intended to authorize the devastation happening at mountaintop removal sites. The Corps' plan to suspend and modify "Nationwide Permit 21" will stop the rubber stamping of mountaintop removal permits and lead to better scrutiny of the environmental impacts of this mining practice. Strong public support—your support—is needed now to eliminate the NWP 21 loophole. Just last week, coal companies and their cronies shut out coalfield residents in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia from public hearings on the Army Corps' plan. Violence and threats kept many people from even having a chance to speak. You only have until Monday, Oct. 26 to tell the Army Corps that its plan to repeal the one-size-fits-all approach of NWP 21 is good news for the people, streams, and mountains of Appalachia. Please act today. Tell the Army Corps that its plan to stop using NWP 21 is the right move. Let them know you support stronger environmental protections for the mountains, rivers, streams and people of Appalachia:
How to Take Action You must submit your comment on the Army Corps of Engineers' plan at Regulations.gov, the official source for U.S. government regulations and related documents.
Click on the button below to access the Army Corps of Engineers' comment form. Or, copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480a... Fill in the comment form. If you don't see the form, search for the Army Corps of Engineers' notice using document ID "COE-2009-0032-0346".
Here is a sample letter you can use: Your proposal to modify and suspend Nationwide Permit 21 is a good step towards protecting the waters, mountains, and communities of Appalachia.
I agree with your assessment that NWP 21 "has been used to authorize surface coal mining activities that involve discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States that have resulted in adverse environmental impacts that may be more than minimal on a cumulative basis."
The proposed modification would enhance environmental protection by requiring surface coal mining projects to apply for individual permits under the Clean Water Act. This will allow for increased public and agency involvement, including public comment periods.
I also support the proposed suspension to NWP 21 to allow comments to be reviewed and evaluated. Ultimately, the use of NWP 21 to permit valley fills and stream destruction must end completely.
The impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining are significant and permanent. The Army Corps should not issue any additional authorizations under NWP 21, and past authorizations should be reviewed under the Clean Water Act. Please modify and suspend NWP 21 to protect Appalachia's environment and community. Click on the "Submit" button at the bottom of the form, and your comment will be delivered. Thank you for taking the time to make sure that your voice is heard! Drop us a note to let us know that you took action!
To get started, click on the button below:
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Photo Credit: Top left: Mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia. (Credit: Vivian Stockman/OVEC) Bottom: Mountaintop removal operations at Kayford Mountain, West Virgina. (Credit: Mark Schmerling)
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Links: If you cannot click on the links in this email, copy this link to your browser to access the comment form: http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480a...
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