Today marks the end of the third week of the tree-sit on Coal River Mountain. Catherine-Ann remains in her oak tree in good spirits and with no plans to come down.
As Catherine-Ann stops blasting in Bee Tree hollow, locals are gearing up for the permit hearing this evening on the renewal of the Bee Tree permit – and on the proposed new Collins Fork permit on Coal River Mountain. Despite community concerns over blasting damage, water pollution, increased cancer rates in the community, and destruction of their local mountain, the DEP is still planning to allow strip mining on Coal River Mountain.
There is still time to call the West Virginia DEP or send an email to oppose the renewal of the Bee Tree permit.
But we know that sending letters to a corrupt agency like the DEP will not be enough to stop strip mining. In the words of Judy Bonds, we must “fight harder,” and direct action is one piece of that struggle. We greatly appreciate all the people who have expressed their support for the tree sit. Please consider supporting RAMPS through donations – which will help us operate our base camp and provide support to Catherine-Ann. We also welcome folks to come and join us in the mountains of West Virginia! If you’re interested in coming to help support this action or future actions, please get in touch with us!
Solidarity!