From our Friends at LEAF

LEAF Action Alert - March 7, 2011

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46
Forward this message to a friend and post on blogs. If this alert was forwarded to you by a friend and you want to follow Tennessee’s Mountain Top Removal legislation yourself, sign up for LEAF’s weekly updates at www.tnleaf.org. Also “Like” LEAF on Facebook and follow TNLEAF on Twitter.

Dear Caretakers of Creation:
I know I usually only send you action alerts once a week but we have a Legislative 911. I need to add something to today's Alert. An amendment has been offered on what looked like a boating safety bill to replace all the language with the “Appalachian Restoration Act.”

This amendment cuts the time for processing applications for water quality permits, which speeds projects, including mountain top mining projects. Then it goes on to “prohibit coal mining operators in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.” This appears to be an attempt to allow proponents of the amendment to say they have taken action against coal mining in the mountains, while actually taking action for mining.

Surely they know there is no coal in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and even if there were, the Tennessee Legislature does not have the authority to permit or prohibit mining in a national park. The bill goes on to restate a stream buffer bill that was helpful, but that passed two years ago. There is nothing that “Restores Appalachia.” in this proposed amendment. It appears to be a clumsy effort at deception of people like us, who oppose mountain top coal mining, while expediting the practice.

ACTION

E-mail the Senate Environment Committee members Before 2:00 on Wed. March 9 when the amendment is scheduled for a vote. Say something like (or just cut and paste):

I oppose mountain top coal mining. I support SB 577 Stewart/HB 291 McDonald. I oppose deceptive amendments like the one proposed to boating bill SB 1499 Southerland/ HB 1667 Hawk. Please make meaningful change to protect the ridgelines of Cumberland Plateau.

While you’re at it, you go ahead and write the House Committee the same thing. For your convenience, use the address blocks for both committees at: http://www.tnleaf.org/legislative/legislative-toolkit/

Thanks for your prompt action against this tricky little maneuver. I will report what happens in the next action alert, but you can also watch the hearing live at the legislative web site. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/committees/env-tourism.html

I have repeated yesterday's action alert below so that those of you who haven't read it can just keep reading. The information is still timely and important.

Peace,

Dawn Coppock,
Legislative Director
LEAF
For more information contact Dawn Coppock, LEAF Legislative Director
c 865-382-0895, o 865-933-8173, dawn@dawncoppock.com or visit
www.tnleaf.org.


LEAF Action Alert - March 7, 2011

For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.Isaiah 25:10


Dear Caretakers of Creation:
LEAF is working hard to pass the Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act HB 291/ SB 577 to end mountain top removal mining in Tennessee. Meetings in Nashville last week revealed that our prospects are surprising good. Proving once again the LEAF motto: God is Big.
Out of respect for your time and loyalty, LEAF requests action only at the most critical points. Once we get the bill moving through the committee system and toward the floor, we will need you to contact legislators several times over the next 3-4 months, but the journey will be short if we can't get off GO. The critical time is now.
Please write/call/e-mail both the House and Senate Committees members this week, Monday or Tuesday if possible. We've created block e-mail address file and a sample letter to make contacts easy for you. http://www.tnleaf.org/legislative/legislative-toolkit/Your own words are best but as long as you say is “Vote for HB 291/SB 577 to stop mountain top coal mining,” that's is a big help. Phone calls with that message are also good. The committee lists with phone numbers are also at the above link.
Spread the word.Christians need to heard in Nashville on creation care. After you contact committee members, please forward this alert to friends and post a request on face book asking that folks go to www.tnleaf.org and sign up for future LEAF action alerts. The more of us who join together the louder the trumpet will sound.
The bill is on the calendar in the Senate Committee for 2:00 p.m. March 23. More on that later.
Folks have asked for materials and talking points. Both are below along with some general information about industry and government developments.
Knowing you are backing me up keeps me going on long days at Legislative Plaza. Keep LEAF and our government in your prayers. Come to Nashville and join me when you can.

Peace,
Dawn Coppock
Legislative Director

Materials
There is a printable Lobby Packet at Legislative section of www.tnleaf.org. It includes, a copy of the bill, a map of coal over 2000 ft, National Mining Association stats on TN surface coal mining employment (415 before National/Ranger laid off 155 in Jan. 2011), TN's contribution to the total US coal production (.2%), the article about the sale of National Coal and closure of Zeb Mountain, a fact sheet and other similar documents. http://www.tnleaf.org/legislative/legislative-toolkit/
LEAF also has various Christian denominations statements against MTR. http://www.tnleaf.org/church-outreach/resolutions-of-faith/

Basic Talking Points

* What is LEAF? Lindquist Environmental Appalachian Fellowship. TN based, all-volunteer, Christian, creation care organization. More info www.tnleaf.org.
* What the bill does? Prohibits surface coal mining that alters or disturbs ridgelines above 2,000 ft elevation. HB 291/SB 577.

* Why MTR is bad?
* Makes jobs for explosives, not men. Less than 415 jobs in all surface coal mining statewide. Most of that mining would not be affected by the SVPC.
* Bad for tourism-Tennessee's second largest industry-tourism employs 182,300 statewide.
* Little economic benefit to community or state.
* One time land use -permanent damage.
* Sites require long term maintenance.
* Decreases development and property tax potential of mined land and surrounding land.
* Poor financial stability and regulatory compliance records of mining companies.
* Blasting vibrations, noise, dust, coal trucks, hard on communities.
* Destroys wells and streams.
* Caused increased flooding.
* Coal use in on the decline.
* Poor stewardship of God's creation, greedy and shortsighted.
* TN Scenic Vistas Protection Act enjoys broad public, church and bipartisan support.