Marfork Coal Company, a subsidiary of Alpha Natural Resources, has applied for yet another permit to strip mine Coal River Mountain.  The Middle Ridge Surface Mine, S301712, would destroy 800 acres in the heart of Coal River Mountain.  This permit has been on the fast track to approval.  There will be a hearing this Thursday February 28th in the Coal River Valley, which will be the last opportunity to submit comments opposing this permit.  Please speak in your own words.  Below are some suggested talking points.  Thank you for standing up for the mountains.

*  Coal River Mountain has been an essential asset to the surrounding communities for hunting, gathering and protection for several generations.  The disturbance proposed will continue the efforts by Alpha Natural Resources to destroy over 5,000 acres on Coal River Mountain.

*  The WVDEP shall not permit another 800 acres to an already heavily disturbed Clear Fork of the Coal River Watershed as the cumulative impact of thousands of acres of strip mining disturbance will put downstream communities at greater risk from flooding.

*  WVDEP has failed to respond appropriately to the growing body of environmental and health science suggesting that these types of operations have a significant adverse impact on the communities surrounding them.  WVDEP must not issue this permit until they can effectively prove enforceable visible and non-visible dust control provisions will effectively prevent any particulates from leaving the mine site.

*  Alpha Natural Resources has two high quality metallurgical coal reserves permitted in the Workmans Creek area adjacent to this permit.  Utilization of these underground operations as opposed to more Mountaintop Removal will have a far greater degree of support in the community and adhere to Alpha's Running Right Philosophy.  Underground coal mining has occurred on Coal River Mountain for generations and can continue in a manner that respects community concerns.