United Mountain Defense News

OSM informal conference update Kopper Glo Fuel Refuse Area #2

2009-02-26T22:26:00.000-08:00

James Kane provided the following write up:::::::

Here's the link to the pictures.

http://s423.photobucket.com/albums/pp311/laserjuice/Kopper%20Glo%20Fuel%20Minesite/

The conference was totally sweet! It was Me, Jeff Coker with OSM, James from Kopper Glo, and a court reporter which cost OSM $40.

I put together a slide show and showed it to James and Jeff on my laptop, it took about 35 minutes. I recommended that Kopper Glo do several things:

1. Continuously monitor the discharge from the site, since state rules say that at no time can the quality standards be exceeded.

2. Kopper Glo, in the permit revision, suggested the outflow wasn't a big deal because, and I quote, "The flow is just a couple of gallons per minute". I corrected them and demanded that OSM/TN test or force testing of the effluent for a huge list of metals, and then add these metals (if they showed up) back into the permit, forcing the mine to test specifically for these toxins.

3. I suggested that they clean up the big piles of coal debris hanging out near the streams. I mentioned that they looked like the ash from Kingston.

4. I brought up something cool I found in the state rules- TDS, or the dissolved solids, cannot be filtered out, and probably impair waters of the state. Nobody balked at this, so basically they conceded that, yeah, the effluent should be tested, and they should be accountable for whatever they find.

5. I told Kopper Glo that they should look into the MMSD (Mining, Minerals, Sustainable Development) recommendations.

Finally, I ended with a nice picture of intact mountains. I think they got the irony.

Through the whole process, Jeff Coker was leaning in and was totally absorbed. Afterwards he was really positive, said the presentation brought up good points and was very thorough. He was really impressed and shot the breeze for about 15 minutes afterwards- we might have something here, guys! The Kopper Glo guy was scowling, and he didn't refute anything- and it's on the record!

We'll get something in about two weeks or so back from OSM. Hopefully the permit'll go through, but cost the mine a lot more in testing/monitoring, if they buy our arguments. Maybe next time they'll bring a lawyer or something.

Be excellent,

James

James Kane took UMD's new digital water monitor on this mine site visit. He found a pH of 3 in one of the holding ponds of the refuse area. Jeff Coker of OSM was so impressed by UMD's new equipment he posed for a photo with the device and commented about how it was nicer than any OSM equipment. Thanks NRDC for the water monitor!!!!

UMD volunteers and staff attend an ACE planning meeting

2008-07-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

July 26- 27, 2008 UMD staff and volunteers attended a planning meeting for the Appalachian Community Economic Conference in Eagan, TN. Many loose ends were tied up during this planning meeting. The conference will be held in Abingdon, VA from Sept 19-21 at the 4-H center.
There is more info and online registration available at http://www.appalachiancommunityeconomics.org/

UMD files a Formal Administrative Hearing on Zeb Mountain Permit

2008-07-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

July 25, 2008 United Mountain Defense requested a Formal Administrative Hearing from the Office of Surface Mining on their reasons for giving National Coal Corp a permit renewal for Zeb Mountain on June 26,2008. UMD is currently taking any offers of legal help in dealing with this hearing.

United Mountain Defense recieves $10,000 from Natural Resource Defense Council

2008-07-28T14:40:00.001-07:00

UMD recieved $10,000 to help upgrade our chemical and biological water monitoring program. UMD plans to purchase a YSI digital water monitor and other tools as well. Thank you NRDC

UMD says good bye to its first summer 08 intern

2008-07-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

July 22, 2008
After the weekly Tuesday night meeting UMD staff and volunteers enjoyed a Japanese Anime movie night at the UMD Volunteer House. It was a going away party/ event for our water monitoring intern, Topher. Thanks for your work Topher and good luck finishing school.

Zeb Mountain 4 released July 20.2008

2008-07-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

After being arrested and taken to the Campbell County jail for processing the Zeb Mountain 4 were released that same day without a bail or bond by order of the Campbell County Sheriff. This may have been partly due to the fact that UMD volunteers and attorneys approached the sheriff's department more than a week prior to the action to alert them to its non violent intent. It is nice that our friends did not go to jail. While being processed the Zeb 4 shared their knowledge about the coal mining with local clerks, deputies, and other county personnel who seemed very supportive and commented on how much they despise the mining as well. Their next court appearance is Aug 8.

4 arrested at Zeb Mountain March, July 20, 2008

2008-07-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

UMD volunteer staff and interns had the honor to march with those who were arrested during a protest against National Coal Corp, whose stock has dropped more than 40% over the last week. Take a deep breath and keep reading. Today at Zeb Mountain four protesters were arrested in solidarity with United Mountain Defense, Three River Earth First!, Mountain Justice and coal-impacted residents of Appalachia.These brave individuals gave speeches of hope for solidarity amongst minors, activists and entire communities that are affected by the devastations of surface mining for coal. Holding hands and singing Amazing Grace along with more than 50 protesters behind them, they crossed the line onto National Coal's property. Once across the line police calmly handcuffed and arrested them.Please support these individuals committed to protecting the mountains of Appalachia by sending jail support donations to the pay pal account at http://www.unitedmountaindefense.org/

You can also send checks to:P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920Please Mark Check: “For Jail Support”

March on Zeb Mountain July 20 1pm Lick Fork Rd

2008-07-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

March on Zeb Mountain!

STOP STRIP MINING TENNESSEE’S WATERSHEDS!

United Mountain Defense, Mountain Justice and Three
Rivers Earth First! ask you to march with us for
Appalachia. This is a call for you to take a Sunday
out of your life to help preserve some of the oldest
mountains and watersheds on Earth. March with us in
solidarity against the watershed annihilation machine
known as mountain top removal. This is a call not for
any organization or group—but for the Mountains of
Tennessee.
When: Sunday, July 20th at 1:00p.m.
The march will begin with a family friendly gathering
and prayer in the parking lot. Participants will then
march 1/8 of a mile to the gate of National Coal. A
prayer will be lead at the gate and at this time
citizen who feel called to participate in non-violent
civil acts of conscience will have the opportunity to
walk across the gate of National Coal. If you would
like to follow the examples of Martin Luther King,
Gandhi, and Thoreau by participating in this part of
the march then you must come to the non-violence
training the day before.
Non-Violence Training will take place on Saturday,
July 19th at 1:00p.m. at the University Of Tennessee
in the Earth Science Building Room 400.
Where: March at Zeb Mountain, Campbell Co. TN
Directions from Knoxville and points South
Take Interstate 75 North
Take Oneida/ Huntsville Exit/ Hwy 63
Go West of Interstate 75 about 6 miles
Turn Right on Hwy 297 @ Pioneer Post Office
Go 3 miles turn left onto Lick Fork Rd
Find a parking spot
Directions from Lexington and points North
Take Interstate 75 South
Take Oneida/ Huntsville Exit/ Hwy 63
Go West of Interstate 75 about 6 miles
Turn Right on Hwy 297 @ Pioneer Post Office
Go 3 miles turn left onto Lick Fork Rd
Find a parking spot
Directions from Asheville and points East
Take Interstate 40 West
Take Interstate/ bypass 640 West around Knoxville
Take Interstate 75 North
Take Oneida/ Huntsville Exit/ Hwy 63
Go West of Interstate 75 about 6 miles
Turn Right on Hwy 297 @ Pioneer Post Office
Go 3 miles turn left onto Lick Fork Rd
Find a parking spot
Directions from Nashville and points West
Take Interstate 40 East
Take Interstate/ bypass 640 East around Knoxville
Take Interstate 75 North
Take Oneida/ Huntsville Exit/ Hwy 63
Go West of Interstate 75 about 6 miles
Turn Right on Hwy 297 @ Pioneer Post Office
Go 3 miles turn left onto Lick Fork Rd
Find a parking spot
Send housing requests or questions to
umdvolunteerhouse@yahoo.com
ZEB MOUNTAIN

National Coal is the strip mine corporation blowing up
the three peaks of Zeb Mountain for the coal beneath.
National Coal has a terrible record of over 50
violations since begining mining in 2004—including one for illegally
mining through two streams. National Coal has wrecked
the watershed of Zeb Mountain—and the New River
Watershed is next if we don’t stop them.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=8259449

SUNDQUIST WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

National Coal has bought over 65,000 acres in the
nearby Sundquist Wildlife Management Area and has the
repeatedly stated intention on increasing its rate of
blowing up mountains in this Watershed. Sundquist WMA
is 84,000 acres of public access property offering
public hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, grouse,
and small game.

The Sundquist is a Watershed for the New River. The
New River flows into the Cumberland River, which is
Nashville’s drinking water source. Some geologists
have suggested that this is the oldest watershed on
Earth. National Coal is intent on blowing up a
watershed that is one of Tennessee’s state capitals
sources of drinking water.

http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/outdoors/hunting/wma/sundquist/sundquist-wma.html

NATIONAL COAL STRIP MINE CORPORATION

National Coal suggests that they are not practicing
the “bad mining practices of the past.” National Coal
says that they are a kinder gentler strip miner.
National Coal would have you ignore the 150-year
history of mining in Tennessee.

National Coal suggests that they are not like all of
the bad evil strippers in Kentucky, WVA, and South
West Virginia. They shake their heads at how bad it is
there. National coal would have you ignore what their
industry is doing in the other states.

National Coal suggests that they can do a great job
“improving” the New River Watershed by blowing it up.
National Coal would have you ignore the incredible
damage they have done to Zeb Mountain. They would have
you ignore their lying eyes.

March with us and stand up to these corporate bullies
who with arrogant almost colonialist swagger assume
the right to blow up the watersheds and mountains of
Tennessee.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. Bring an instrument—and learn how to play
“Rocky Top”—Tennessee’s state song. Write your own new
lyrics to Rocky Top or learn ours.
2. Dress up! Yep—we want you to come in your
Sunday best. During the civil rights movement people
wore suits and ties all the time—so can we.
3. When all else fails wear orange! We are the
people of Tennessee and the song Rocky Top is about
us, and so is the color orange. Just by wearing orange
you can show that you are from Tennessee—and
understand the importance of our mountains to our
heritage.

4. Respect. Show respect for the people who drive
by, for the people who live here, for the miners—for
yourselves and the people you organize with. There
will be animal rights activist and hunters, Christians
and Atheist, Peace Activist and Military Veterans at
this march. Show respect for the mountains by showing
respect for the diversity of people that come to
defend them.
5. Bring signs showing support for Tennessee’s
mountain heritage, watersheds and the Sundquist WMA.
We need art, banners, musicians and you. Especially
you.
6. Help by playing a support role for the march. We
are looking for mature, intelligent individuals to
sever as a support team. We need people to serve in
the following roles: media liaisons, police liaisons,
medics, legal support, artists and musicians, and care
team. Please contact us at
umdvolulnteerhouse@yahoo.com or 865 689-2778 if you
want to volunteer.
The organizations sponsoring this event are committed
to nonviolence. Please come, but come with the
understanding that this march has a specific focus
with specific goals. By participating in this March
you are agreeing to our non-violence guidelines and to
follow the direction of the organizers of this march.
We have formed strong alliances with allies and it is
important that we maintain that trust beyond this
single march.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
unitedmountaindefense@yahoo.com - general questions
umdvolunteerhouse@yahoo.com - housing, volunteer
opportunities, rsvp
Phone: (865) 689-2778
Website: unitedmountaindefense.org.
This will be the day, this will be the day when all of
God's children will be able to sing with new meaning
"My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of
thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the
Pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom
ring!" Martin Luther King

Get ready for TN Loves Mountains Day July 12

2008-07-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

Celebrate TN Loves Mountains Day July 12!

UMD volunteers attend Mountain Keepers Festival in Kayford, WV July 4-6

2008-07-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

UMD volunteers helped build a composting toilet for Larry Gibson and his soon to be wife Carol. There was lots of music and lots of good food. UMD volunteers cooked a whole mess of greens including poke and mustard grown in our gardens. Many folks went on the walking tour of Kayford and gave witness to the greatest destruction of our time.

UMD intern participates in Dominion Energy Blockade Richmond, VA June 30

2008-07-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

A UMD intern decided to participate in the non violent blockade of Dominion Energy in Richmond, VA on June 30 at 7:30am. There's more info here--- http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2008/06/30/breaking-young-va-activists-blockade-dominion-hq/

The intern helped distribute flyers to people stuck in traffic during the blockade which lasted more than 2 hours.
Dominion admitted that this action had a significant impact on the work day for the corporation. This protest was held in response to Dominion's efforts to force a multi fuel/ coal fired power plant on Wise County, VA. There has been much citizen resistance and it has come to head as Dominion recieved its final air quality permit from the VA Department of Environmental Quality. We'll see you at the power plant site in Wise County.

UMD attends MJS meeting in Blacksburg, VA June 27-29

2008-07-08T11:48:00.000-07:00

UMD volunteer staff and interns attended an MJS meeting. We figured out a lot of details for later summer actions. On Sunday MJS had it's first ever strategy meeting. We began to flesh out a strategy that will put us on a path to victory. This process was facilitated by UMD volunteer staff and will be used to create a strategy plan for UMD.

UMD water monitor interns in the feild June 25-27

2008-07-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

UMD interns were in the field using their training to gather macro interbrate samples from streams of coal country. Happy Hunting!

Informal Conference and Mine Site Visit Requests turned in June 23

2008-07-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

UMD requested an informal conference and minesite visit to Triple H Coal Rosevelt Tipple on June 23. We won't stop until they do.

MJS National Day of Action Wheatpasting in Knoxville, TN June 21

2008-07-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

UMD volunteers and interns created a 4 foot by 8 foot color display of King Mountain in Eagan, TN. King Mountain is currently being blasted by Mountainside Coal Company. The images were wheatpasted onto a piece of wood and hung on an art wall in Market Square in downtown Knoxville, TN facing the corporate offices of TVA. Contact info and a flyer about the upcoming March on Zeb Mountain was also posted onto the image. There were at least 4 other states that had similar actions on this day.

UMD attends Informal Conference June 18

2008-07-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

UMD volunteer staff and interns attended an Informal Conference held by OSM for the Jellico Strip Mine in the Cove Lake State Park @6:30pm on June 18. We turned in citizen's complaints based on violations that we observed during the minesite visit.

UMD interns get training in marcro invertabrate water monitoring June 18-19

2008-07-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

UMD volunteer staff and interns accompanied Professor Joe Schiller and some graduate students of Clarksville, TN into the field to learn about insects and bugs that live in the water. We resampled many streams that Schiller had sampled during his graduate work at the University of TN in Knoxville during the first big round of strip mining occuring in the late 60's and 70's. These included streams north of Lafollette in the Stinking Creek drainage and drainages within the New River Basin. We got to use d-shaped kick nets and YSI digital chemical water monitoring equipment. This two day training helped us develop our water monitoring protocal which we based on an existing North Carolina protocal. We decided to use this protocal because it provides a more complete sampling of the creek.

Mountain Justice and United Mountain Defense table at Bonaroo June 12-15

2008-07-08T11:20:00.001-07:00

MJS and UMD had a table at Bonaroo, a southeast music festival. This is the third year that issues of coal mining have been brought up during the festival. We have recruited multiple volunteers from the festival and made lots of money. This year MJS made $1000 on t-shirt sales.

Sushi Dinner Fundraiser for Portrait Story Project

2008-07-08T11:17:00.000-07:00

UMD held a fundraiser for the Portrait Story Project @ 11th Street Expresso House. We made $75 for the project.

UMD volunteers tour the outdoor classroom in Eagan, TN June 8

2008-07-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

After our Listening Project in New River we rode over to Eagan, TN and listened to the Tennessee Rainwater Band. On June 8 we went on a walking plant identification tour with john johnson, one of UMD's spring 08 interns. We marched through the tallest poison oak I have ever seen, almost 3 feet tall. We met up with Carol Judy of the Clearfork Community Institute. She gave us some of the history behind the landtrust and the purchase of the outdoor classroom as well other local histories. Afterwards we went swimming in Laurel Fork creek. It was very pleasant.

UMD volunteers do Listening Project in New River area

2008-07-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

UMD volunteers traveled to TN's New River north of Oak Ridge, TN and began meeting local residents and identifying their concerns. We found out that pollution from National Coal's prep plant and the near by mining had destroyed the quality of many people's wells. City water from Huntsville, TN had not made it to the affected community of Rosedale yet and these people were either buying all their water from Oliver Springs or drinking it anyway. Ironically Huntsville City water comes from the same New River that is being polluted by all these surface mines and two National Coal Prep Plants. Clothes washed in the water turned red. We also learned that coal truck traffic was very dangerous on Hwy 116. Motorcyclist have also discovered this road and now frequent it's curves. This is pretty disturbing and we hope to learn more from future listening projects and water monitoring.

Listening Project Training June 6

2008-07-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

UMD volunteer staff gave a Listening Project training to all our new summer interns at the 11th Street Expresso House.

Portrait Story Project displayed at World Grotto

2008-07-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

Voices for Appalachia was displayed from June 6 till July 2 at the World Grotto in Knoxville, TN. Over 100 portraits were hung and many people saw the display. You are invited to participate.

UMD volunteer staff give training June 5

2008-07-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

UMD volunteer staff gave trainings in Security Culture, Cultural Sensitivity, and Non violence/ de-escalation. These trainings were designed to get all the new UMD interns on the same page.

Our fourth summer intern arrived on this day from Florida. She had learned about our program from the Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference in Valdosta, GA.

UMD volunteers and interns attend mine site visit June 4

2008-07-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

We traveled to Claiborne county to meet up with the Office of Surface Mining represenatives to tour the Appolo Fuels Jellico Strip Mine. Wearing our hard hats and steel toed shoes we saw more destruction of the land. There were many violations of the permit that we saw including a leaking sediment dam, trees growing on many of the dams of areas previously reclaimed, and erosion of reclaimed areas due to a lack of hydroseeding. OSM's hydrologist Rick Mann accompained us on the visit and seemed shocked by some of the water quality issues.

UMD gets our third summer intern June 2

2008-07-08T10:30:00.001-07:00

Our third intern was raised in Nashville but is currently attending art school up north. She came to help create orginal artworks and a children's book about MTR coal mining.

Pasta Dinner Fundraiser June 2

2008-07-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

UMD had a fundraiser benefit for the Knoxville IndyMedia website and the July 20th Zeb Mountain March on June 2 @ the 11th Street Expresso House. There was live music, ramp pasta, and lots of drawing. Francesco di Santis of the Portrait Story Project drew local Appalachians portraits in charcoal and allowed them to write their stories of resistance and life on the drawing. The fundraiser made $160.

UMD gets our first two interns May 26, 2008

2008-07-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

UMD picked up our first summer intern from the Grey Hound Station at 5am. He had traveled all the way from Montana and had learned about our internship program through the Bonner Scholarship at his school in Indiana. We look forward to continuing to make the Bonner Connection with future interns.

Our second intern learned about our program during the South East Student Renewable Energy Conference in Valdosta, GA. He traveled from Atlanta.

Check out the Volunteer House Blog for an Application to work from your school or home this fall or winter. Also you could come and live in Appalachia next summer. Apply soon.

TDEC public hearing May 22

2008-07-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

UMD staff left the MJS camp early to attend a TDEC public hearing on Thursday May 22, @7pm in Cove Lake State Park. It was short and painless as the staff member was the only person to speak.

Mountain Justice Summer Training Camp May 17-23

2008-07-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

UMD volunteer staff helped setup the 4th annual Mountain Justice Training Camp which occurred in Harlan County, KY this year. It was located at Camp Blanton, home to the 2000 acre old growth Blanton Forest. It was a week full of workshops and inspirational speakers who shared stories about life in coal country. There is more info available at www.mountainjusticesummer.org
One of the goals for this camp was to renew and galvanize an MJS group in KY. We were successful in this goal and gained the support of award winning author Silas House.
Over 30 people were trained during 3 Listening Project trainings. A Listening Project occurred on the road leading to Camp Blanton. Many local people were very supportive and have since joined our struggle because of their contact with Listening Project volunteers.

UMD volunteer staff led workshops in legal issues, Surface Mining and Citizen's Rights, Listening Projects, and many others.
It was very pleasant to see a mountain that had not be logged or stripmined for one week.

Zeb Mountain Informal Conference May 14, 2008

2008-07-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

The Office of Surface Mining held an Informal Conference (public hearing) at the Elk Valley Elementary School near Zeb Mountain. Over 50 people attended the hearing with many sharing their concerns about National Coal's continued mining of Zeb Mountain. A represenative of United Mountain Defense turned in Citizen's Complaints as part of his testimony. A large stack of Tennessee Mountain Defender Newspapers was distributed. The results of the water tests showed elevated levels of selenium (a heavy metal) exiting the mine site and entering nearby streams. Currently OSM does not test for selenium. This Informal Conference only occurred because UMD volunteer staff requested it. We will continue to exercise our citizen rights!

NRDC visits UMD and other enviro groups in Knoxville

2008-07-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

The Natural Resource Defense Council hosted a meeting of various groups fighting MTR in East TN on May 13, 2008. UMD made a 5 minute long Power Point presentation about the fieldwork that we have been doing and the improved directions that we would like our program to go in the future. The NRDC represenatives were very impressed by all the presentations and promised to come back for a visit to coal country.

United Mountain Defense Yard sale fundraiser

2008-07-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

On April 10, 2008 the UMD crew took donations at a yardsale located at the 11th street Expresso House. We made over $160 to go toward travel expenses for the Mountain Justice Summer training camp in Harlan, KY.

Zeb Mountain Mine Site Visit April 29, 2008

2008-05-07T13:30:00.000-07:00

Members of United Mountain Defense and other community members were accompanied by Tim Rudder of OSM onto the land formerly known as Zeb Mountain. We took digital video cameras and digital still cameras to document the destruction National Coal has reaped on this mountain. These videos will be available online shortly. I am really glad that I don't have Tim Rudder's job and have to look at that destruction day after day. It is hard to believe that in 5 years so much can change when a coal company is mining a mountain. We took water samples, which are being tested at a local EPA approved lab. This mine site visit was in preparation for an Informal Conference which will be held on May 14 at the Elk Valley Elementary School in Elk Valley @ 6:30pm. Everyone is invited to attend and turn in written comments or make oral comments.

UMD tabling at the 1st Farmer's Market in Market Square, April 26

2008-05-07T13:26:00.001-07:00

UMD set a table in one of the only shady spots in Market Square next to the Knoxville Zoo table. We passed out copies of our latest newspaper and many people came to speak with us after hearing about the TN Scenic Vistas Bill and the work of LEAF. It was a good day of outreach and fundraising.

4th and Latest Edition of the Tennessee Mountain Defender rolls off the press

2008-05-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

Friday April 18, 2008 UMD printed and began distributing 10,000 copies of the latest Tennessee Mountain Defender newspaper. We finally found a professional layout designer. We got a call from our printer commenting on our good content and nice layout. My favorite parts are the cut-along- the-line Citizen Complaint forms and Informal Conference/ Mine Site Visit Request forms. Fill them out and send them in!!!!! Thanks to the Beehive Design Collective, Francesco di Santis, and Doc Hyena for contributing original artwork. If you would like to pick up a copy drop us a line at umdvolunteerhouse@yahoo.com or look around Knoxville. Also come to our meetings Tuesday night @7pm at the 11th street Expresso House. See you then and happy reading.

Mountain Justice Summer Meeting held in Knoxville

2008-05-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

UMD hosted the MJS meeting in Knoxville April 18-20, 2008. It was a blast and food was great! Thanks, Scott. We got a lot of planning done for the 4th Annual Mountain Justice Summer Training Camp May 17-23 at Camp Blanton in Harlan KY. Check out www.mountainjusticesummer.org to register.

First Ever Citizen Complaint filed on Apollo Fuels Marion Coal Tipple April 17, 2008

2008-05-07T13:03:00.001-07:00

This was the first of MANY complaints to be filed!!!! It was an interesting day where UMD staff learned a lot about how to file a citizen complaint and what questions to address in the complaint. For one thing an organization supposedly cannot file a citizens complaint without the name of a citizen attached to the complaint. We look forward to filing many more complaints. Also TDEC will only respond to Federal Clean Water Act violations form 118 A. We did get a site visit with Tim Rudder of OSM and Dave Turner of TDEC. Dave Turner said that all sediment control devices will be in place within 3 months along the permitted haul road between the Marion Coal Tipple and Refuse Area #1. Three months would be July 17, 2008. We'll be keeping track and cruising the public roads with our digital video cameras and still cameras. Both gentlemen were very helpful. See you next time; don't forget your steel-toed boots and hardhat.

Beehive Design Collective Interviews OSM and TDEC

2008-05-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

Doug Siddell and Jeff Coker of the Office of Surface Mining graciously gave the Beehive Design Collective an interview to help the collective get a more rounded image of the work of regulatory agencies on the issue of coal mining. Tim Eagle of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation also gave an interview to help the collective understand TN's role in rehabilitating pre-1977 Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act coal mining. Thanks again guys!

UMD tables at the Energy and Responsibility Conference Knoxville, TN

2008-05-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

UMD setup a table at the first Energy and Responsibility Conference put on by UTK. We spoke with conference attendees from April 10- 13. There were many interesting workshops and many new academic professionals to meet. People from all over the world learned about the destruction of the mountains and the work that UMD is doing to help stop it. We hope to participate again next year.
http://isse.utk.edu/energy_and_responsibility/

UMD staff speaks at UTK SPEAK screening of Black Diamonds

2008-05-07T12:43:00.000-07:00

A UMD staff person spoke passionately about the accelerating strip mining of TN's mountains after the screening of the film Black Diamonds. Black Diamonds features footage from Mountain Justice Summer 05, 06, and 07 actions of which UMD members took part. Thanks to SPEAK, UTK environmental club for setting up the speaking engagment!
www.blackdiamondsmovie.com/

Fossil Fools Day April 1, 2008

2008-05-07T12:33:00.000-07:00

People from all over the country nominated many people or institutions to receive a Fossil Fool Award and held many different events. United Mountain Defense participated in a public hearing with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation at 7pm at Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, TN. The public hearing was about a NPDES permit for Apollo Fuels Marion Coal Tipple in Claiborne County, TN. United Mountain Defense nominated the Big Three Coal Companies in TN as Fossil Fools, Apollo Fuels, Mountainside Coal, and National Coal Corp.
www.fossilfoolsdayofaction.org/
http://energyactioncoalition.org/fossilfools

Mountain Justice Represents at the Appalachian Studies Association Conference

2008-04-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

For the second year now MJS and United Mountain Defense have had a strong presence at the Appalachian Studies Association Conference. This annual conference was held last year in Maryville, TN near Knoxville and this year in Huntington, WVA during March 28-30. The conference coincided with the end of the MJSB camp, which meant travel time was not an issue. MJS had a workshop this year titled "Art as Resistance" where we showcased Shadow Theatre, some MJS songs, street theatre, The Portrait Story Project, and The Beehive Design Collective's new Coal Poster Project. This workshop was setup to be a performance workshop to help juxtapose the mainly academic air of the conference. The audience was enticed to participate during various parts of the workshop. Francesco di Santis also drew numerous people during the conference for the Portrait Story Project. Matt really enjoyed a few of the speakers including Silas House whom he invited to the 2008 MJS camp in Harlan, KY at Camp Blanton May 17-23.
http://www.appalachianstudies.org/

Mountain Justice Spring Break 2008 Part 2

2008-04-25T19:48:00.000-07:00

The second Mountain Justice Spring Break of 2008 began on Friday March 21 and lasted till Sunday March 30. It was located in Meigs County OH, which is soon to have the highest concentration of coal burning power plants within a ten-mile radius. Currently 4 power plants exist there and 5 new plants are slated for construction. This week was slightly colder and rainier than the first MJSB. There were numerous actions, which occurred, and Listening Projects as well. The camp was held on a reclaimed strip mine. Over 150 students attended both of the camps combined. For more info about these camps check out the website.
www.mjsb.org
http://www.mountainjusticesummer.org/photo_pages/080330_mjsb_oh.php

Voices for Appalachia: A Portrait Story Project 2

2008-04-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

Visiting artists travel through Elk Valley, Eagan, and Appalachia drawing anyone who is willing to sit for 30 mins to an hour. Since March 1 they have drawn over 200 people.

Voices for Appalachia: A Portrait Story Project

2008-04-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

Francesco di Santis began work on the Appalachian Portrait Story Project on March 1, 2008 at the first Mountain Justice Spring Break Camp. He and his partner will be traveling all over Appalachia drawing folks portraits with charcoal and then allowing the participants to write their uncensored story onto the drawing. These works will turn into a traveling art exhibit and potentially turn into a book as well. If you are interested in having your portrait drawn or providing monetary or housing support to these traveling artists contact
Francesco by email at wanderer@riseup.net
or check out the website http://postkatrinaportraits.org/

TDEC meeting March 13 @ 1pm

2008-04-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

Matt traveled to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to review a NPDES permit for the Marion Coal Tipple in Claiborne County, TN. He also requested a copy of all the NPDES/ ARAP permits for coalmines in TN and still has not received a copy of the list yet. This link will take you to the permit listings. Look under water for NPDES and ARAP for mining notices. You can also be added to the email/ paper mailing list by contacting: Gary.Mullins@state.tn.us
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/news/ppo/

Mountain Justice Spring Break 2008 Part 1

2008-04-25T19:12:00.001-07:00

Mountain Justice Spring Break occurred near Abington, VA from March 1-9, 2008. It was an inspiring week with many fun and inspiring actions including community service projects. Matt Landon led a few workshops including Exhausting Administrative Remedies, Active Listening/ Listening Projects, and Shadow Theatre. The week concluded with a protest at the Department of Environmental Quality, which made local and worldwide media.
Photos are available on:
flickr with a mountain justice or MJSB tag or check out
http://www.mountainjusticesummer.org/photo_pages/080301_mjsb_va.php
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0EQsLo1xu3Q

LEAP into Action Day Feb 29, 2008

2008-04-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

As part of UMD's new "Exhausting Administrative Remedies" tactic we turned in requests for informal conferences and mine site visits for National Coal Corps Zeb Mountain mine site and DRC's White Oak Surface mine on Leap Day 2008. It should be interesting to see what comes of this new tactic. We'll see you on the mine sites.

UMD is offering internships for spring / summer 2008

2008-02-28T06:56:00.000-08:00

United Mountain Defense is proud to offer a lot of internships ranging from aquatic science to theatre. By signing up as an intern you will be participating with one of the only groups doing on the ground field work in TN. You will also have opportunities to network with other MTR groups throughout Appalachia. We look forward to hearing from you. Check out the application in the links section and email it to umdvolunteerhouse@yahoo.com
Have a great day! UMD News Staff!

Focus the Nation Video Info

2008-02-13T21:25:00.000-08:00

Chris's awesome presentation starts at the 40:00 mark on "Speak Panel
Discussion #4 - January 31, 2008 - 2:10"

http://mediabeast.ites.utk.edu/mediasite4/Catalog/Front.aspx?cid=153ca8d9-2a98-4d04-bbbb-5070a17b7ed3

2008-01-31T16:14:00.000-08:00

Video of Chris Irwin speaking about strip mining in TN on 1-31-08 at the University of Tennesse in Knoxville.

Video of Chris Irwin Speaking about Strip Mining in TN

2008-01-31T16:10:00.000-08:00

http://mediabeast.ites.utk.edu/mediasite4/Catalog/Front.aspx?cid=153ca8d9-2a98-4d04-bbbb-5070a17b7ed3

Speak Panel Discussion #4 - January 31, 2008 - 2:10
Presenter(s): The University of Tennessee
Status: Available
Air Date: 1/31/2008
Air Time: 2:10 PM EST
Length: 1 Hour 10 Minutes 16 Seconds

Community leaders will speak on local action that can be taken to reduce impacts of global warming

2008-01-29T11:46:00.000-08:00

UNITED MOUNTAIN DEFENSE NEWS

2008-01-29T11:32:00.000-08:00