This just in:
Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) today announced that several staff members from his Charleston and Washington, DC offices are on a three-day fact-finding tour of portions of West Virginia to view first-hand mountain-top mining operations. Byrd’s statement follows:
 “During the next few days, several members of my Senate staff from both my Charleston and Washington offices will be touring portions of West Virginia to view first-hand mountain-top mining operations. These staffers, while engaged in their fact-finding mission, will also be meeting with coal industry representatives, as well as members of the environmental community and other concerned citizens. During their visit, they are also expected to evaluate the on-going flood recovery efforts, and discuss concerns expressed to my office about the impact of mountain-top mining and the severity of damage from the recent floods.â€
“While I am personally unable to participate in this tour at the present time, I have instructed these staff members to be my eyes and ears on the ground and report back their findings and the results of their discussions in an effort for me to obtain the most up-to-date information on the issue of mountain-top mining. With the recent announcement from the Obama Administration that it is planning to increase federal oversight of the mining operations, I believe it is imperative for my staff and me to hear from all interested parties in West Virginia as we move forward on this debate.â€
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I believe we will get the best review possible of this problem. There is no one in goverment with more wisdom than our senator. If those other sheep in the senate would have listen to him we would not have went to war for oil.
One would hope that this fact-finding will be sincerely undertaken. I hope the staffers really do talk to the people living next to these “operations.” If they do, it will be an eye-opening experience.
no offence but….do we really believe that the great Senator, in his current condition, is in “charge” of this??? I just can not believe it. I saw Senator Byrd at a rally last fall and I have to say, I don’t think the man is really “in charge”. Please don’t take this the wrong way…I mean no disrespect and I guess I’m just a pessimist. I hope this is true b/c I believe it will be eye opening.
I believe that a true and honest evaluation of mountaintop mining will come out of this, and I pray that Senator’s Byrd staff will visit the Marsh Fork Elementary School site, get a first hand view of how close the silo that is already built is to the school. It is good to get views from both sides that are involved. The second silo should not be built, and the State Supreme Court Justices should hang their heads in shame. What a disgrace they are to West Virginia, and people throughout the United States and the world for that matter are commenting on what a disgrace was done to the innocent children of Marsh Fork Elementary School.
What an opportunity this man has to wind up his distinguished career in stellar fashion.
If he would just stand up and declare that mountaintop removal stripmining is an abomination (which it is), he would secure for himself the enduring gratitude of generations of mountaineers to come.
Now is the time for every true Mountaineer to stand up and be counted.
Senator Byrd has always been so pro-coal . . . I will be eager to hear what “members of the environmental community” these folks met with.
We may not always see eye-to-eye with Senator Byrd, but I think he and his staff both deserve a lot of praise and respect for looking to address the many devastating impacts that mountaintop removal is having on the Appalachian economy, ecosystems, and communities.
Thank Ken, and I hope you’ll keep everyone up to date on what the Senator’s staff reports back.
At last at least someone from Washington is going to have a look at the destruction and horror of MTR. I hope and pray that those coming to West Virginia in Senator Byrd’s stead will take the truth back to the Senator. Surely this good man will do something to stop the ruin of this state’s Appalachian mountains. If not then there isn’t much hope for many affected West Virginians and the enviroment. I will write to the Senator’s office today to thank those who represent him for their coming to look and learn at what MTR really is and does.
Mary Lee Scalf writes, “I will write to the Senator’s office today to thank those who represent him for their coming to look and learn at what MTR really is and does.”
What a great idea Mary!! I think we ALL should!
I just hope both sides get out cause all you here is the eviromentalist views we will see cause somebody needs to help the working people in this state thats trying to stay working.why are the not going after chemical companys in the kanawha valley repot on a true travesty to the state of west virginia check their polluttion in the city of charlestons water supply i bet it will shock you!!!!!!!!!!