Stop The Destruction of Kentucky and Appalachia

I, as a citizen of the state of Kentucky, am appalled at the way the way our state is being carelessly tossed aside by the leaders of our country. Our need for environmental assistance is being greatly neglected, and the latest decisions made by the Bush Administration concerning Mountain Top Coal Mining and how it is affecting our water supply has caused me to stand up and voice my opinion. I only hope that my fellow Kentuckians, and those who support the environment, will stand up with me. Together, we shall be heard. This petition, along with a collection of photos, letters, and interviews will be included in a book called Kentucky and Appalachia Will Not Take Anymore that will be sent to the Senate, so that they can see the destruction and devastation through the eyes of those who suffer the consequences directly.the citizens. Upon signing this petition, you are stating your concern for the state of Kentucky and Appalachia. We are rising up to meet changes in: Mountain top mining is our major concern. This type of mining is the atrocious practice of mountain top removal, in which entire peaks, hillsides and mountaintops are literally sliced off. The debris, consisting of dirt, topsoil, vegetation, rocks and destroyed trees, is then dumped into the valleys and streams nearby. The mining company then, using equipment so enormous that they must be shipped piecemeal to the site (and not driven on the roads), extracts a narrow, 2-4 foot seam of coal. Affected are surrounding valleys, the streams, rivers, and their ecosystems, the ground water, the forests, and how it effects the health of the people in the communities below. All of this for a strip of coal 2-4 feet long. We are also showing concern in air pollution and its effects on the forest, as well as forest depletion, river and stream pollution, and endangered species protection. We are faced with a grave challenge, but we are ready for a fight. We must save and protect what is ours, and preserve it for future generations. Fight with us, and help us save the natural wonders and lush beauty that is Kentucky and Appalachia.