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This article originally provided by The Williamson Daily News
August 7, 2006
Literature distributed to area residents
HUNTLEYVILLE, KY. - An informative letter entitled “Promoting Responsible Coal Mining,” was discovered attached to the door of many rural route mailboxes on Rt. 292, in Martin County, Ky., Friday afternoon.The literature was distributed by members of Mountain Justice Summer, a group who, according to the flyers, works to achieve legally responsible coal mining.
They state they wish to increase awareness and enforcement of law
violations common among coal companies. They say that many
violations frequently go unnoticed, and unpunished by government
agencies.
They list toll free numbers that Kentucky residents can call to
reach government enforcement agencies about issues.
These agencies are funded by tax payers dollars, to enforce the law,
and to ensure the safety of those living in coal mining regions.
The public is encouraged to quickly report black water spills to the
Kentucky Emergency Response Team, (24 hr. hotline), at
1-800-928-2380, and overweight coal trucks to the Kentucky Vehicle
Enforcement, at 1-800-928-2402.
The largest black water spill to occur in the history of the U.S.
was from Martin County Coal's Slurry Impoundment, near Inez, Ky.
This mines is owned and operated by Massey Energy.
You are reminded, when reporting a spill, to get the location where
you saw black water.
Use roads and landmarks as indicators.
Take pictures if you can.
This group says the easiest way of knowing if a coal truck is indeed
overweight, is look to see if the coal is visible at the top of the
truck load. Kentucky's weight limit for coal trucks is currently
120,000 pounds.
Overweight trucks are a serious threat to other motorists, and also
inflict costly damages to our roads and bridges.
Mountain Justice Summer says that when reporting an overweight coal
truck, remember to get the license number, and the name of the road
or route it is traveling on.
For more information on this group, and their endeavors to protect
our environment and to make travel on Kentucky roads safer, log onto
their website, at
www.Mountain-JusticeSummer.org.
By RACHEL DOVE
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