Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:21:44 GMT
From: "Scott Parkin, Rainforest Action Network" jels@ran.org
Subject: Help Protect Appalachia's Mountains and Forests



Dear --,

Appalachia's forests, people, mountains and traditional culture are under attack. Every week the Appalachian mountains are hit with more explosive force than was dropped on Hiroshima. To date, 500 mountains have been leveled by coal mining companies, who have blasted the tops off the mountains and dumped the resulting rubble into adjoining valleys and streams. This has resulted in more than 1200 miles of rivers and streams being permanently buried by debris, as well as loss of water supplies and habitat for people and other living beings who depend on these watersheds. If this destruction is allowed to continue, it is estimated that by next year, 1.4 million acres of Appalachia's richly forested mountains will have been destroyed.

But this wholesale destruction of America's oldest mountains can be stopped -- and you can help make it happen:
http://ga3.org/campaign/senatemtr .

Over the past several weeks, more than 10,000 RAN members have taken action to end mountaintop removal. We've asked you to call JPMorgan Chase and sign a petition to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, because bankers and regulators have been allowing the mining industry to ravage Appalachia's mountains.

Today we're asking you to help pass the Appalachian Restoration Act. Please contact your representative in the U.S. Senate and ask them to co-sponsor this important bill. The Appalachia Restoration Act (S. 696) is an important bill in the U.S. Senate that will have the effect of sharply reducing mountaintop removal coal mining. It will focus on protecting the quality of life for Appalachian residents who face frequent catastrophic flooding and pollution and loss of drinking water as a result of mountaintop removal coal mining.

You can help protect the Appalachian Mountains by contacting your Senator and asking them to co-sponsor the Appalachian Restoration Act.

For the mountains,

Scott Parkin
Global Finance Campaign
Rainforest Action Network 


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