Mountain Holler
SMCRA Hearing
August 1st, 2007
Last week, Judy and I headed to Washington D.C. for a presentation Judy was doing for the Greenpeace Seventh Generation Program. We found out a few days before hand that Rep Nick Joe Rahall was "hosting" a hearing for the 30th anniversary of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977 the morning before we were to be at Washington University for Judy's presentation. So we went to the hearing as well.Honestly, it was a joke. We the citizens were not allowed to speak. Stephanie Timmermeyer lied and said that the mining companies put the topsoil back when they are done. Come on. We all know that is NOT the truth, especially since most permits get a variance to use topsoil substitute. She also said that when most surface mined areas are returned to forestland that they are more productive then they were before. Please someone show me a reclaimed mountain where there is a lush foest with trees taller than 5 feet. Please show me a reclaimed site where the understory is still there.
As a representative for the citizens, Joe Lovett from the Appalchian Center for the Economy and the Environment, spoke, calling SMCRA what it is, a joke. In my opinion, he was berated by Rahall and his coal co-horts from New Mexico.
When that was all over, the industry got their turn to cry and whine about all of us. Can you believe that Rahall actually apologized to them for having to endure listening to so-called anti-coal speak? I can believe it, but it made me want to vomit.
Here is a not yet published letter to the editor that our co-director Vernon wrote from his observations while watching the hearing via the internet:
"Today I was thoroughly disgusted by Rep. Nick Rahall's obscene display of favoritism of the coal industry over the citizens he pretends to represent. On a webcast of the House Natural Resource Committee's Oversight Hearing, "The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977: A 30th Anniversary Review," the hearing turned into an orgy of coal propaganda and the trampling of citizens' concerns. When the few panelists speaking on behalf of affected citizens finished their introductory statements, Rahall and his fellow power gluttons jumped all over Joe Lovett of the Appalachian Center for the Economy and the Environment. Mr. Lovett rightly pointed out the failures in SMCRA's enforcement and described reclamation as a joke.
The coal industry representatives, of course, got the last word, essentially calling the citizens' representatives liars and attacking the system for being too difficult for the industry to survive. Rahall spoke last, apologizing to the industry for their inconvenience to attend the hearing, agreeing with everything Raney had said, and lavishing him with compliments. Witnessing this lovefest, I said under my breath, "Get a room." Rahall has picked his side."
Another staff member, Patty, watched "the show" and was totally disgusted. When I asked her how she felt about the hearing and how Rahall treated Joe Lovette she told me "Rahall is totally ignoring the citizens who live here and vote for him and taking the word of the industry without even looking at the citizens side."I guess it's business as usual here in West Virginia. And D.C.