Photo by SouthWings
Last summer, SAMS was alerted to the prospect of a newly proposed mine on Ison Rock Ridge. After fighting and winning the battle to save the ridge and the communities around it no less than five years ago, we did canvassing and outreach to the folks living in the area who would be most immediately affected should this new proposal pass.
After attending, alongside our community, an informal conference, updates become sparse. However, as of yesterday, Iron Mountain Collieries (the company that proposed the permit) and Virginia Energy have WITHDRAWN THE DRAFT PERMIT! This news comes down from EPA Region 3.
Previously, we worked with other community groups to submit comments that the proposed mine would add additional pollutants to Callahan Creek. The EPA agreed and pushed for Virginia Energy to explain how they would comply with regulations. Thus, they completely withdrew.
We will continue to monitor this situation and watch for additional permits. We anticipate this highly sought-after part of our Earth could still be subject to land grabs and prospective footholds on the part of the corporations who have already done so much damage to our communities and hills.
For now, though, we celebrate.
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Original Outreach Post (June 2022):
ISON ROCK RIDGE IS ONCE AGAIN BEING THREATENED BY MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL
Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, including members from the impacted communities and partners, are stepping up to defend the mountain and surrounding area from the harm this proposal will have on the already impacted former coal camps, waterways & land in Appalachia, VA.
AN INFORMAL CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS THESE IMPACTS HAS BEEN SCHEDULED:
DATE: Thursday, June 16, 2022
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Appalachia Town Hall Council Chambers
ADDRESS: 508 W Main St, Appalachia, VA 24216
BACKGROUND:
Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards spent nearly ten years helping to successfully fight a permit to demolish Ison Rock Ridge once before. Only five years later, a new company is attempting to establish a foothold with a 30-acre bid. As before, this will directly affect several former coal camp communities, and historical cemeteries near the proposal may be negatively impacted (Inman, Linden, Cress/Sawmill).
Furthermore, the impacts of a stream of coal trucks and plumes of dust that will lumber their way through the middle of downtown could not come at a worse time, as the social and economic scene in the Town of Appalachia is taking root once again.
JOIN US in defending our communities and mountains by making your voices heard.