The Beetree permit encompasses approximately 1000 acres of 5000 proposed, active, and permitted mining in the upper Coal River Watershed. State and Federal Regulators have failed to consider community concerns and properly assess cumulative impacts of mining in the Coal River Watershed.
Please fill out the following form to urge the WV DEP to halt the destruction of Coal River Mountain. The WV DEP is accepting comments on the renewal of the Beetree Surface Mine Permit on Coal River Mountain until August 9th, 2011.
Submission of hand written comments to the following address is also strongly encouraged: Region 3 WV DEP, 254 Industrial Drive, Oak Hill, WV 25901
I oppose the renewal of the surface mine permit for the Bee Tree surface mine on Coal River Mountain, permit number S-3010-04. The mining endangers residents below the Brushy Fork slurry impoundment, will permanently impact a thousand acres of biodiverse temperate rainforest, increase the likelihood of downstream flooding, degrade local air quality, destroy wildlife habitat, and increase the likelihood of impacts to public health from exposure to air and water contaminants. Numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies have detailed the negative impacts of surface mining to the environment and public health, and the WVDEP should reject this permit until those potential impacts have been examined and addressed for this particular permit. Thank you.