The state of Tennessee on Friday filed a petition signed by Governor Phil Bredesen requesting that ridgelines in the state’s Northern Cumberland Plateau be ruled unsuitable for mountaintop removal coal mining.
This is the first time that a state government has submitted a petition to the federal Office of Surface Mining within the Department of Interior to set aside ridgelines, thus protecting them from mountaintop removal mining.
The historic petition proposes the protection of more than 500 miles of
ridgeline in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Areas and the
Emory River Tracts Conservation Easements.
“These lands are managed by the state of Tennessee for hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing and other outdoor recreational activities,” said Bredesen. “This petition asks the federal government to help us prevent mining on these ridgelines to protect their important cultural, recreational and scientific resources. Surface mining along these mountain ridges would be inconsistent with uses specified in the Wildlife Management Area and Conservation Easement, including hunting and recreation, depriving future generations of these special resources.”
If approved by the Secretary of the Interior, the petition would prevent surface mining of coal for 600 feet on each side of the ridgelines in the designated area, creating a 1,200 foot ridgetop corridor encompassing approximately 67,000 acres. This area contains most of the older growth forest that exist in the area as well as a diverse array of habitats and wildlife, some of which are considered rare or threatened.
Upon receiving a complete petition, the federal Office of Surface Mining must prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. This process provides an opportunity for public input prior to a decision being made about whether to accept the Lands Unsuitable for Mining petition under provisions of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. The petition does not affect underground mining or permits for surface mining that have already been issued.
Deborah Murray, Senior Attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, said: "This is really good news for Tennesseans and those who enjoy the outstanding natural heritage of this part of the state, and who rely on clean water for their drinking water, fishing, or other uses. Governor Bredesen has consistently demonstrated his commitment to protecting Tennessee’s environment. We strongly support his action today to protect the ridgelines and put these public lands off-limits to destructive mining practices such as mountaintop removal mining."
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Gov. Bredesen shows great wisdom in protecting Tennessee’s greatest asset. Here’s hoping that all of Tennessee’s treasured Appalachian mountains eventually, ( and quickly ), receive the same stewardship as we move away from the horrific practise of MTR mining. Lets force King Coal to fund commitments to the development of wind, solar, and other green technologies before China claims full market share and destroys what’s left of the U.S. economy.