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Some months ago I read about the about mountaintop removal that has been going on for some years in Appalachia. I had no idea of how destructive it is. I could hardly sleep the night after viewing the images of our West Virginia mountains that have been transformed into something akin to a lunar landscape.
We need coal. About 50 % of the electricity we are using is generated by coal. However, the topography of Appalachia is much different than that of Wyoming. West Virginia (and the other Appalachian states) possess rich hardwood forests that are the home to many, many plant and animal species.
West Virginia is losing much by allowing the enormous scale of this type of mining. Planting grass over the mining sites will not equal the loss of species, habitat, fresh water, tourist dollars, and timber for many woodworkers and manufacturers.
The little motifs are examples of the diverse species found in West Virginia that are being affected by MTR.Left to Right: black bear paw print; American ginseng berries and root; black walnuts; Black Mountain salamander;
red fox paw print; yellow poplar leaf; Eastern whitetail deer hoof prints.
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