Department of Environmental Protection Denies Blair Mountain Petition
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in West Virginia has denied a petition which asked them to declare Blair Mountain unsuitable for mining. The June 2, 2011 petition was called frivolous by the DEP lawyer under state law.
Blair Mountain was the site of the largest armed confrontation in U.S. history between union miners and mine management. The battle which took place on the border of Boone and Logan counties in early September 1921 was largely responsible for corporate culture development.
Now the mountain is likely to face strip mining operations. The mine is currently owned by Alpha Natural Resources and Arch Coal who are hoping to gain permission for their mining operations from the state government.
However the president of the West Virginia Labor History Association, Gordon Simmons found it strange that the state government agency could dismiss something as frivolous that involves an important historic event in the state's history.
Regina Hendrix of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition is frustrated by the DEP's logic. She asked if the DEP had the Goldilocks syndrome. First the area is too big, then the area is too small. When will it ever be 'just right' for the DEP to actually consider the question of whether there are some lands in West Virginia like Blair Mountain that ought be off limits to coal mining?
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Joel relocated to Australia in 1995 from the United Kingdom and spent five years working in the mining industry as an exploration geotechnician. His role involved utilizing GIS mapping and CAD software. Upon transitioning to the North Coast of NSW, Australia, Joel embarked on a career as a graphic designer at a well-known consultancy firm. Subsequently, he established a successful web services business catering to companies across the eastern seaboard of Australia. It was during this time that he conceived and launched News-Medical.Net. Joel has been an integral part of AZoNetwork since its inception in 2000. Joel possesses a keen interest in exploring the boundaries of technology, comprehending its potential impact on society, and actively engaging with AI-driven solutions and advancements.
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