Successes

• For 7 years, we have held up the permitting process for Ison Rock Ridge, the proposed 1,200-acre surface coal mine that would affect the quality of life in 5 communities, including the Town of Appalachia. After years of effort the DMME has decided to reverse it decision and deny the Ison Rock Ridge Permit. The decision is currently being contested by A & G Coal. Residents have been applauding the DMME for its recent decision.   Read more about the Ison Rock decision here:

 

•  SAMS has successfully  brought two lawsuits in  the past year year against A and G coal company and the landholding company Penn Virginia.  A and G is being sued for the unlawful discharge of the element selenium into Kelly’s Branch Stream. Penn Virginia is being sued for gob piles leaching pollutants into  the Callahan Creek.

Read more about the A & G case here:

Read more about the Penn Virginia case here:

•   SAMS along with the Alliance for Appalachia is spearheading the Appalachian Citizens Enforcement project, developing a program for region-wide water testing so that community members can test their own water in order to hold the county and state accountable and so we can secure the right to clean drinking water. Find out more at http://www.ace-project.org/

• SAMS has spearheaded a dust campaign in Roda to win permanent dust regulations. The sweepers and road washers currently in place were installed because of our efforts together. We are still fighting to make these changes permanent, so stick with us so together, we can protect our communities from the harmful dust.

• Since Fall 2009, we have been organizing a new group to come up with ideas of how to bring new green jobs and sustainable economic development to Wise County. This group is exploring many ways to boost the economy through new technology and education so that everyone can have a safe, well-paying job.

• Our youth organizing efforts are reaching out to local schools and colleges to organize a youth-based environmental group in Southwest Virginia. Youth organizing interns are working with new young leaders and educating area youth about how important it is for us to keep  our environment in Appalachia as clean and healthy for future generations.

• Our volunteers and staff are at work in the background doing research and keeping us in contact with other organizations that are fighting with us. Without them it would be impossible to keep up the fight

• We’ve had showings of Coal Country across the state to educate people on what’s going on in our beloved mountains.

• SAMS is

• On June 1^st, SAMS members picketed outside the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy in protest of the proposed Ison Rock Ridge surface coal mine permit. SAMS members delivered a Certificate of Failure” for the agency’s failure to protect communities. “