This is why you cannot give carte blanche on all deep well mines. The Mayor is a retired coal miner, BTW. best, paul

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Public News Service wvns@publicnewsservice.org Date: Jul 17, 2007 9:52 AM Subject: WVNS story for July 17, 2007. WV Mayor: Proposed Mine Threatens Only Source of W To: pjgrunt@gmail.com

West Virginia News Service A statewide news service for West Virginia 5312 MacCorkle Avenue, SW, #315, South Charleston, WV 25309 Phone: 800.317.6705 Fax: 540-301-0801 E-mail: wvns@publicnewsservice.org

July 17, 2007

WV Mayor: Proposed Mine Threatens Only Source of Water

Bayard, WV - A proposed coal mine would cut through the watershed that supplies all the drinking water for two Grant County towns. The mining company says the water won't be affected - but Bayard (BAIRD) mayor Steven Durst says he wants an independent survey before the mining starts, to make sure the town's drinking water will stay clean.

Suggested Script: A West Virginia mayor is sending out an S-O-S for his town's only supply of drinking water. A proposed coal mine in Grant County would dig into a watershed that supplies two towns in the area. The Wolf Run Mining Company has said it can get the coal without hurting the water. Steven Durst is mayor of Bayard and a retired coal miner - he says he and most area residents aren't taking the company's word that their drinking water is safe.

Actuality Cut 30777 (:07) "The problem is that if they're wrong about what they say, they're going to destroy a water system for nine hundred families."

Suggested Tag: He's calling for an independent geological survey before mining starts - he'd like that to come from a third party, not affiliated with mining interests or with the state's Department of Environmental Protection. The mine is waiting for a permit from Environmental Protection; they're expected to rule in the next two months.

**** Second Cut: Durst says when it comes to small towns like his that don't have a lot of political clout, the state government tends to put business interests ahead of protecting the quality of life of local citizens.

Actuality Cut 31777 (:10) "Our concerns, of course, are that the Department of Environmental Protection will not protect us, they're not gonna be concerned as to whether or not our water system is endangered." (ends)

OPTIONAL REPORTER WRAP - uses first soundbite: LEAD: A West Virginia mayor is sending out an S-O-S for his town's only supply of drinking water. Rob Ferrett has more. Actuality Cut 32 777 TRT: 35 Q...in the next two months.

Editor's Note: Durst is at 304 693 7300.

Still available: scripts and sound on the web page, or call toll-free # and use the cut # listed below followed by the 3-digits in the web ID above. Cuts 45-47: Few Treatment Options in WV for "Signature Wound" of Iraq War - Comments from Hilda Heady, associate vice president for rural health at West Virginia University.

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