Acasestudyinnon-complianceandnon-enforcementinKY

Onecitizen’sstory

RickHandshoe–June2011throughMay2012

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MynameisRickHandshoe.I’maretiredradiotechnicianfromtheKentuckyStatePolice.IliveinHueysville,Kentucky,alongthebanksofRaccoonCreek.Anumberofcoalcompanieshavebeenstrip-mininginthiscommunityforabout16years.Ilivewithinhalfamileofatleastninehollow-fills.Therearealsotwoabandonedundergroundminesnearby.Ilovelivinghere.Myancestorshavelivedhereforovertwohundredyears.It’srealquiet.It’stheplacewhereIgrewupandlearnedtoappreciateourmountainsandstreams.Thiscommunityisreallyclose.Everybodyhereiseitherfamilyorwegrewupandwenttoschooltogether.We’veknowneachotherforgenerations.Everybodyinmycommunityhasagardentosupplytheirfoodduringgrowingseason,pluswedoalotofcanningforwintertime.Thewholeneighborhooddoesthat.Weliketohuntandhikeandspendalotoftimeoutdoors.Allofususedtoplayinthecreekyearsago.Thestreamwasourplayground.We’dcatchminnowsandcrawdadstouseasbaitwhenwewentfishing.Andmanyfamilieswateredtheirgardenswiththecreekwater.Butnoneofthathappensanymore,becauseRaccoonCreekisdead.Nothingcanliveinthisstream.Aneighborrecentlyusedthecreekwatertofillhisstockedfishingpond.Hisstatementwasthat“itboiledthefishalive.”Hehadraisedthesefishlikepets,butitkilledawholelotofthem.Myneighborswhowateredtheirsweetpotatoeswithcreekwaternoticedthattheplantswiltedimmediately.Wehavetowonderwhatharmthepollutionisdoingtoourhealth.MystreamhasbeendeadforseveralyearsasaresultofpollutionflowingfromadischargepipethatcarrieswateroffaminesiteoperatedbyJamesRiverCoalCompany.Thewaterissupposedtobetreatedandthenitentersasettlementpondwheretheironandotherpollutantshaveachancetodroptothebottombeforethewaterflowsdownstream.Thecoalcompanythatoperatestheminefrequentlyshutsdownthesystemthatissupposedtotreatthewater.Onthosedays,thestreamrunslikeorangejuice.Andit’snotjustthestreamthatispoisoned.RaccoonCreekflowsintoSaltLickCreek,whichflowsintoBeaverCreek,whichflowsintotheBigSandyRiver.RaccoonCreekisupstreamofthewaterintakeforSouthernWaterDistrict,amunicipalsystemthatservesmyfamilyandmorethan6,000customersinFloydCounty,aswellasmanyinKnottCounty.OverthepastfiveyearsI’vedoneeverythingIknowtobringattentiontothesituation,getthecoalcompanytoobeywaterqualitylaws,andgetstateandfederalofficialstoenforcethelawsthataremeanttoprotecthumanhealthandtheenvironment.I’vehostedhundredsoftoursofmyproperty,includingjournalists,churchgroups,communitygroups,Congressmen,andtopofficialsfromstateandfederalagencies.RecentlyI’vehostedtheDirectorofthefederalOfficeofSurfaceMining,theDirectorofEPA’sRegionIVoffice,andtheDirectorofKentucky’sDepartmentofMineReclamationandEnforcement.I’vepurchasedwater-testingequipment–thesamekindthatstateinspectorsuse–andItakeweeklytestsofconductivityandironlevels.WhenIcallstateinspectorstoreportaproblemwiththewaterqualityinmystream,Iam110%surethattheywillfindaviolation,becauseI’vealreadydonethetests.OnApril7,2011,GovernorSteveBeshearvisitedmyplaceaspartofatourhostedbyKentuckiansForTheCommonwealth.Igavehimafirsthandlookatthesituationandtalkedwithhimaboutthe

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seriousproblemswehavewithpoisonedwaterandthelackofenforcementofmininglaws.HewatchedwhileItestedthewaterinmystream.Ithadconductivitylevelsnearlythreetimesabovethefederalstandard.TheGovernoracknowledgedtheproblemswithmycreek,andthenhesaid,“Butyouareoncitywater,aren’tyou?”IpulledoutaquartjarofpollutedwaterfrommytapthatIhadcollectedjustthreedaysearlier.Ihadtoexplain:Yes,I’moncitywater.Butourpublicdrinkingwatercomesfromariverthatisfedbythiscreek.Andthisisjustoneofmany,manypollutedheadwaterstreams.Theyallflowintoriversthatprovidedrinkingwaterfortensofthousandsofpeoplewholivedownstream.Peopleheredrinkthatwatereveryday.Babiesarefedformulathat’smixedwiththiswater.

Ididn’texpectmiracleswhentheGovernorcametovisit.ButIsuredidn’texpectthatthelackofenforcementbystateagencieswouldgetworse.Butithas.Muchworse.SinceMarchtherehavebeenfourtimeswhenmycreekhasrunorange.OneofthosetimeswasjustbeforetheGovernor’svisit,butalltheothershavehappenedafterwards.Onthefourthtime,thecreekranorangeforfivedayswhilestateinspectorsfromtheDivisionofWaterandDepartmentofMineReclamationandEnforcementrefusedtoevencomeouttoinspectthesituation.Theystill,tothisday,havenotissuedanoticeofviolationtothecoalcompanyforillegaldischargeofpollutionintothestreamthatoccurredinlateMay.I’vedoneeverythingIknowtotrytoprotectthehealthofmycommunityandgetwaterqualitylawsenforced.AndI’vedocumentedeverystepI’vetakenalongtheway.IwouldliketoasktheGovernorandtheAttorneyGeneralofKentucky,alongwithstateagenciesandtheUSEPA,toreviewthiscasestudy.Somebodyneedstotellmewhatmoreacitizenhasdotoholdcoalcompaniesaccountableandgetmininglawsenforced.Whenstateagencieswon’trespond,wherearewesupposedtoturn?

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BelowisabriefsummaryofthestepsI’vetakentoaddressrepeatedwaterqualityviolationsbyJamesRiverCoalCompany,andthelackofresponsefromstateandfederalagenciesthataresupposedtoenforceourminingandwaterqualitylaws.March2011:Inoticedorangewaterinthecreek.

IcalledandfiledcomplaintwiththeKentuckyDivisionofMineReclamationandEnforcement(DMRE).JeremyBlackburnrespondedandwroteupanoticeofviolationfortwodifferentwaterqualitystandards.

EarlyApril2011:Inoticedorangewateragain.

IcalledDMREandspokewithMattDillon.HewasinWesternKYatthetime.Hesaidtocallhissupervisor.IcalledErikAllen.Hecalledmeback.Hesaidhewassickandcouldn’tcomeout.ButhesentKeithHumble.Keithcame,visitedthecreekwithme.Wedidafieldtest.Wewenttothepond.HesaidhehadnotifiedtheDivisionofWaterthattheyweredischargingpollutedwaterintothecreek,andhewroteasecondviolation.

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Mid-May2011:Myneighbornoticedorangewater,again.

TwoweekendsbeforeMemorialDay,aneighborcalledandaskedifIhadlookedatthecreek.IaskedhimtocallinthecomplaintwhileItooksamples.Itestedforconductivityandtestedforiron.HecalledMattDillonwithDMRE.Matttoldhimthathewouldn’tcomeoutuntilMonday.ThatwasonaSaturday.Theydidn’tresponduntilMonday,whenthewaterwasstillinviolation.ThatSundaynightIsentamessagetoCarlCampbellandJenniferThompsonsayingthatnoonehadrespondedtomycomplaintinatimelyway.Theironwas9milligramsperliter,

whichisjustaboutmaximumforthemeter.MyneighboralsocalledonMondaymorningandfiledacomplaintwithJenniferThompsonattheCabinetforEnergyandEnvironmentbecausenoresponsehadcomefromDMRE.MattcameonMonday.JennifertoldmyneighborthatshehadreceivedmypicturesandhadsentthemtoCarlCampbell,theCommissionerofDMREandJimDickinsonwithDivisionofWater.Shesaidinthefuture,ifweneededsomeonetocomeoutandDMREwouldn’tdoit,weshouldcallthe1-800divisionofwaterhotline.LateMay2011:Inoticedorangewateragain.Thistimetwostateagenciesrefusedtorespond.OnThursdayevening,Iwenttothegardenandthecreekwaslikeorangejuice.Icamestraightbacktothehouse,calledtheDiv.ofWaterhotlineandfiledacomplaint.Theysaidtheywouldhavesomeoneoutthere.IalsosentGwendolynKeyesFleming,theDirectorofEPAregionIVpictures.OnFridaymorningthecreekwasstillrunningorange.Icalledthehotlineagain.Iaskedwhattheyfoundwhentheycameouttoinvestigate.Iwastoldthatnoonerespondedandtheyweren’tgoingto.Iwastoldtheywouldnotsendoutaninspectorfororangewater.SoItookpicturesandofferedtosendthempictures.IthensentpicturestoGwendolynKeyesFlemingattheRegionIVEPAandletherknowthatthestatetoldmetheyweren’tgoingtorespond.IalsocalledMattDillonatDMRE.Heeithersaidhewas6hoursor600milesaway,Ican’trememberwhich.Hesaidtocallhissupervisor,ErikAllen.Icalledhimandleftamessage.Henevercalledback.Stillhasn’t.ItriedtocallGregWeddington,thedirectorofthePrestonsburgofficeofDMRE,twiceonhishomenumberandnobodyanswered.OnSaturdayErikAllenwithDMREstillhadnotcalledback.ItookpicturesandsentanothermessagetoGwendolynKeyesFlemingwithEPARegionIVthatIhadnotgottenacallbackfromKentucky’sDMREorDivisionofWater.

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SundaymorningIwentbackdownanditwasstillrunningorange.Itookpictures,calledtheDivisionofWaterhotlineagain.ItoldthemthatIwantedtofileanothercomplaint.Isaidwehadhadfourdaysofconstantorangewater.Iasked,“Weretheygoingtorespond?IneedtoknowsoIcanletGwendolynKeyesFlemingknow.”Theguysaid,“IsthattheEPAlady?”Isaidyes.Hesaidhewouldsendtheemergencyresponseteam.IsentGwendolynKeyesFlemingamessagethattheEmergencyResponseTeamwassupposedtocomeout.

OnMondayIcalledMattDillonwithDMRE.Hewasatthepond.Hesaidtheywereworkingtoputanaeratorinthepond.Buttheydidnotissueaviolation.ItriedtofindoutwhorespondedfromtheDivisionofWater.ItshouldhavebeenaguynamedRobertfromtheHazardoffice.Buthewasgonefortheweek.WhenIfinallycaughtupwithhim,hesaidhehadnevergottenthemessageandhadnotbeenassignedtorespond.ItalkedwithaJoshGeorge

outoftheHazardDivisionofWateroffice.Hisnamewasontheformthatdocumentedmycomplaint.HesaidhehadbeenovertothepondatthesametimethatMattDillonfromDMREwasthereonMonday.Hisadvicewasthattheystopthedischargepipe,dipthepondout,treatthewater,andthenletitenterthepondandthestreamagain.ButwhatDMREchosetodowastoletthepolluteddischargeflowrightintothestream.JoshGeorgetoldmetocallRobertFranciswiththeDivisionofWaterinFrankfort.Hewasout.Icalledagainthenextdayandwespoke.Itoldhimwhathadhappened.Hetoldmethattheydon’trespondtoorangewaterbecausethereisnothingtheycandoaboutit.Isaid,“Youareabsolutelywrong.Youcancitethemforviolations,andyoucanmakethemturnthecausticsodabackontotreatthewater.”Hewantedtoknowwhatcausticsodadoes,whichreallyshockedme.Andwhethertheycanfixitornot,it’sstillaviolation.Hetoldme,“We’llrespondnexttime.”Isaid,“Butyouletthiswaterrunintothisstreamfor5soliddays,24hoursaday.Wearedrinkingthisstuff.Babiesaredrinkingformula.YourdepartmentletDMREbullythemaround.”Iagreedthatmystreamisdead.It’sbeendeadforacoupleyearsnow.Butthiswaterissupplyingdrinkingwaterfortensofthousandsofpeople.

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I’vecalledSandraGruzesky,thedirectoroftheKentuckyDivisionofWater,twice.Shedidcallbackonce.I’venotheardbackonmysecondcall.I’vecalledMikeHaydon’soffice.He’stheGovernor’sChiefofStaff.Itoldhimthatsincethegovernorhasbeenhere,thingshavegottenworse.Stateagencieswon’tevenrespondnow.Hecalledmeback.Itoldhimthestory.HesaidthatbyMonday,ifIdidn’thearbackfromDivisionofWatertolethimknow.MikeHaydonsaidJamesRiverCoalissupposedtobethemostenvironmentallyfriendlycoalcompanyinthestate.Isaidthey’venotproventhattome,andnooneinstategovernmentisrespondingtomyproblem.Iasked,“SowhodoIcall?”OnMondayIgotamessagefromDavidJacksonwiththeDivisionofWater.Itoldhimthestory.Hesaidhehadnopowertodoanything.Hewastoldtocallmeandseewhatwasgoingon.Hesaidhewouldreferituptheladder.That’sthelastI’veheard.LaterIcalledGregWeddington,themanageratPrestonsburgDMRE.Hetoldmenexttimetocalleveryoneontheemergencylist,untilfinallysomeonewouldanswer.Hesaidtheyhaddroppedtheball.Heexplainedthattheyweregoingtoputinanaeratorsystem.Iunderstandthatitmaynotfixtheproblem.Buttheyareworkingonit.Thereisabigdifferencebetweendoingnothingandworkingtofixtheproblem.Coincidence?WhydidthestateDMREandDivisionofWaterrespondthreetimestocomplaintsaboutorangewaterinmystream,butlaterrefusedtoinspectorissueanothernoticeviolationforthesameproblem?Perhapsthat’sjustacoincidence.WehavealotofthosewhereIlive.Forexample,it’salwaysacoincidencethatthecoalcompaniesknowwhenapublicofficialisgoingtovisitmyplace.Butitalsoseemspossiblethatthestateagenciesstoppedsendingtheirinspectorstorespondtomycomplaintsbecauseitcouldsetupwhat’scalleda“patternofviolations”inthefederalSurfaceMiningControlandReclamationAct.Ifacompanyhasmorethanthreeseriousviolationswithinacertainperiodoftime,it’sconsideredapattern,andthatcantriggermoreseverepenalties.Ofcourse,thecompanycanalwayschallengethoseviolations,whichallowsthemtodelayoravoidtheconsequences.Buttheysuredon’twanttokeepgettingadditionalviolations.Anditseemspossibletomethatthestateagenciesaredoingwhattheycantohelpbyrefusingtorespondtocitizencomplaints.Mystoryisjustonecitizen’sstory,butitiscauseforalarmforallofusinKentuckywhodrinkwaterfromtheriversthathavetheirheadwatersinthecoalfieldsofeasternKentucky,includingtheCumberlandRiver,KentuckyRiver,andtheBigSandyRiver.Wealllivedownstream.

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WhatwewantIamoftenaskedbypublicofficials,“Whatisitthatyoupeoplewant?”It’snotreallythatbigamystery.Iwantourwaterqualityandmininglawstobeenforced.Iwantpublicagenciesandelectedleaderstoholdcoalcompaniesaccountableandmakethemdoeverythingpossibletofixtheproblemstheyhavecaused.Iwantthehealthofmyfamilyandneighborstobevaluedmorethancoalcompanyprofits.Iwantstateandfederalagenciestostopgivingnewminingpermitsinourmountainsiftheycan’tpreventproblemslikewhat’shappenedtomycommunity.AndIwantelectedofficialstogetseriousabouthelpingtocreateadifferenteconomyinthisregion,onethatdoesn’tdependondestroyingourlandandwater.ThoseweresomeofthethingsthatagroupofusspokewithGovernorBeshearaboutlastFebruarywhenwedidasit-ininhisoffice.InAppendixII’veincludedawrittenlistofourdemandsthatwesharedwiththeGovernorlastFebruaryandwhenhevisitedeasternKentuckyinApril.Sadly,wehaveseennoprogressonanyoftheseitems,andtheproblemshaveonlygottenworse.Forallthesereasons,onMay17,2011,IagainaskedforameetingwithGovernorSteveBeshearonbehalfofKentuckiansForTheCommonwealth.HehadalreadytoldusinAprilthathewouldsitdownwithustodiscussourconcernsingreaterdetail.Andafewweeksafterthathischiefofstaffinvitedustosubmitarequestforameetingthatcouldtakeplaceinmid-July.Butdespitealetterandfollow-upcallstohisoffice,wehavereceivednoresponsetoourrequest.

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Progressreport:someprogress,someinactionOnJune23,2011ImetwithChiefDeputyAttorneyGeneralPatrickHughesandseveralotherKFTCmemberstorequestafullinvestigation.IaskedtheAG’sofficetoinvestigatetherepeatedpoisoningofRaccoonCreekbyJamesRiverCoalCompanyandthefailureofstateagenciestoadequatelyenforcethelaw.Ifollowedupthatmeetingwithaletterandacopyofthisreport.IneverdidhearbackfromanyoneintheAttorneyGeneral’soffice.OnthatsamedaylastJunewespentseveralhourssittinginGovernorBeshear’sofficetoprotesthislackofresponsetotheseproblems.Hehappenedtobedownthehallatapressconferenceatthattime.Soourgroupwalkedintotheroomandstoodquietlyinthebackwithoursigns.AttheendIputacopyofthisreportinhishands,buthedidn’tstoptotalk.Somethingsdidgetabitbetterafterthat.Thecompanyinstalledsomespecialequipmentatthepondthatcontinuouslytreatsthewaterbeforeitisallowedtoenterthestream.Thathasmadeadifference.LastAugustwehadalongmeetingwithCommissionerBruceScott,whoisovertheKentuckyDepartmentforEnvironmentalProtection,andthen-CommissionerCarlCampbell,whowasovertheDepartmentforMineReclamationandEnforcement.IwantedtohearBruceScottsaythatmistakeshadbeenmade,butthatthingswouldbedifferentthenexttimeforanyoneelseinmysituation.Ididn’tgetthatanswer.IunderstandthatthestateisinnegotiationswiththecoalcompanyoveritsPatternofViolations.Ihaveneverbeennotifiedofanyoutcome.Itseemslikethereshouldbeawayforcitizenswhoaredirectlyaffectedtohaveasayinthatprocess,especiallywhentheviolationswerethedirectresultofcitizenmonitoringandcomplaints.NewYear,NewProblemsThen,sometimeinJanuary2012,Inoticedsomethingnewandveryoddaboutanothercreekonmyproperty.Thissecondcreekruns500feetbehindmyhouse.Itwascoveredwithfoam.WhenItestedit,thepHwasabout4.5,whichisveryacidic.NormalrainwaterhasapHofabout6.5.AsyougoloweronthepHscale,eachnewnumbermeansthewateris10timesmoreacidic.SowhenmytestsshowedthatthecreekhadapHofabout4.5,thatmeansitwas100timesmoreacidicthanrainwater.ThewayIunderstandit,thefoamonthesurfaceofthewaterisasignthatacidicwateriseatingthroughorganicmaterialinthestream.It’salsoanindicatorthattheproblemisarecentone,becauseafterawhilealltheorganicmatterwouldbegone.TheseareproblemsItriedtopreventTounderstandthesituation,youneedtoknowabitabouttheminingaroundhere.There’salonghistoryofdeepminesinthisarea.AcoupleyearsagoMillerBrothersCoalCompanystartedsurfacemininguponthehillbehindmyhouse.Thecompanyhassincechangedhandsseveraltimes.It’snowownedbyJamesRiverCoal.

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Beforetheygotstarted,Ichallengedtheirproposedminingpermit.Itoldthestatethattherewasalreadyanunstableslideonthemountainfromanoldloggingjob,andIwasconcernedthatminingwouldmakethatproblemmuchworse.Ialsotriedtoprotectthetwostreamsonmyproperty.Atthetime,thestateDepartmentofMineReclamationandEnforcementsaidyoucan’tlookintothefutureandsaytheyaregoingtodestroythewater.Sotheyapprovedthecompany’spermit.ButnowthoseproblemsarehappeningandI’mhavingtofightthemtodealwithit.IalsohadtoworkformorethantwoyearstogettheUSArmyCorpsofEngineerstoadmitthatthestreambehindmyhousewas,infact,aperennialstream.Itwasn’tlistedthatwayonthecoalcompany’spermit,whichwouldhaveallowedthemtominerightthroughit.FortwoyearsIhadtodocumentthatthestreamwasflowingallthetime,eveninthemiddleofabigdrought.Finally,Iwonthatargument.Thecompanyhadtoquitminingsoclosetothestream.Frombadtoworse:Atwhatpointareyougoingtocallthisablow-out?MystreamstartedtofoamthispastJanuary.Ithappenedatthesametimethatthecoalcompanybroughtsomeequipmentonthebacksideofthemountaintodoreclamationwork.It’snotclearwhathappened,butsomethingputpressureonacidicwaterinsidetheolddeepminesandcausedittocometothesurfaceandenterthestream.InotifiedtheKentuckyDivisionofWaterandtheDepartmentforMineReclamationandEnforcementabouttheproblem.(IevenbroughtpicturesofthefoamanddescribedtheproblemtoCommissionerBruceScottwhensomeKFTCmembersandIhadameetingwithhiminFebruaryaboutotherissues.)Theysentsomeguysouttodotests.They’vebeenbackcheckingonithereandthereforfivemonths.Buttheyhaven’ttakenanyaction,andtheycontinuetoletpoisonwaterrundownthishill.Overthesemonths,I’veseensomefrictionbetweenthosetwostateagenciesthatarepartofthesameEnergyandEnvironmentCabinet.Theydon’tseemtocommunicate.OneinspectorintheDivisionofWatertoldmehecan’tgetanyinformationaboutmysituationfromhissisteragency.Theydon’tshareinformation.Theydon’tagree.Afterthreeandahalfmonthsoftheacidicwaterinmycreek,otherstrangethingsstartedhappening.Thewaterhasalwaysrunouttherightsideofthisholler.ButallofasuddenonedayinAprilitquitrunningthereandstartedshootingouttheleftside.Andthecreekgotreallymuddy.IcalledthestateDepartmentofMiningandasked,“Doyouhaveaninspectorhereclose?”Theysaidno.IsaidIwouldgoupandlookmyself.Ifoundaplacewheretherewaswatershootingoutofthesideofthehillfromaholeasbigastheupperpartofmyarm,aplacewherenowaterhasevercomefrombefore.IcalledaninspectornamedWesleySmithandsaid,“Youain’tgoingtobelievethis,butthewaterhasjustaboutdriedupwherewe’vebeentestingitforyears.Andnowit’sshootingouttheothersideofthehill.Hecameupandlooked.Hesaid,“Youaren’tlyingtous.”

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HecheckedthewaterandfoundthepHwasreallylowandtheconductivitywasabout1,900microsiemens.ThenhedrovebacktoFrankfort.LaterIcalledhimandaskedwhathefoundaboutthewatercomingoutofthedeepmines.Hesaidwhatareyoutalkingabout?Iasked,“Didn’tyoucheckthewatercomingoutofthedeepmines?”Hedidn’tevenknowwherethosewere.TheyhadtosendhimbackoutfromFrankfort.Sureenough,thewaterfromthedeepminesisjustasacidicasthewatercomingoutbehindmyhouse.Thewholewatertableisdestroyed.Andforsomereasonit’sunderpressureandpouringoutwhereitneverhasbefore.Alittlelateranotherinspectorcameoutandfoundanewholeaboutthesizeofmywristhadopenedupandtherewaswatershootingout.Oneinspectorsaidthatheobservedthewaterthereflowingat8gallonsaminuteoneweek,and20gallonsaminuteaweeklater.Thenlastweek,Icalledandsaid,“Guys,somethingelseishappening.”I’vegottwicethenormalwaterflow.AndIspent7hourswalkingthemountainandIfoundanold“housecoal”mineuponthehill.(That’swheretheywouldtunnelintothemountaintogetblocksofcoaltoheatpeople’shomes.)Waterisjustpouringoutofit.Theinspectorsaid,“WhenIwasupherelastweek,therewasnowatercomingoutofthatmine.”Isaid,“Youareright.Thisisthethirdincident.Atwhatpointareyougoingtocallthisablow-out?”IknowI’mindangerAllthatwaterisrunningintotheexistingslideandcausingittomove.It’smovedabout2.5feetdownhill.I’mbelowit.Andnowthere’sanothernewslidethat’sformedabovethat.Itislocatedonthecompany’spermittedarea,justfeetfromwheretheirdozerbladestopped.ButI’vegotaletterfromthestateissayingthatit’snotwheretherewasactiveminingandisnotminerelated.Wouldtheolddeepminehavefalleniniftheyhadn’tminedaroundtheedgeofthemountainandtakenoutallthestructuralsupport?Myconcernnowisthatthere’sstillawholelotofwaterinthere.Ifthere’sanadditionalcave-in,that’swhenitcouldbecatastrophic.Itwouldbelikehavingabottlefullofwaterandsmashingit.Allthatwaterhastogosomewhere.Ibelievethisisalife-threateningsituationI’minrightnow.Themountainismoving.Ifthemountainblows,thereisnotimetogettosafety.Theproblemis500feetabovemyhouse.Thereisnowhereelseforthewatertogo.I’vegiventhestate5-monthstodealwiththepoisonedwater,andamonthandahalftoaddressthismoreserioussituation.They’vebeenchecking.Butthey’veneverdoneanything.I’vegottheirdocumentationthattheyhaveseenthiswaterchangeoveraseveralmonthperiod.Butatnopointdidtheysay,“Youareindanger,Rick.”IknowI’mindanger.IrealizedIneededtotalkwithJoeBlackburnorGailSmithatthefederalOfficeofSurfaceMining(OSM)inLexington.It’sasadsituationwhenyoucalltheOSMofficeandnoonewillansweryou.TherecordingsaysthereisnobodyherebythenameofBlackburnorSmith.IleftamessageandgotacallbackfromafellownamedJohn.Itoldhimwhathadbeengoingon.Iexplained,“Igavetheseguyswiththestate5monthstodealwiththelowpHproblem.I’vegiventhemamonthandahalftodealwithwaterblowingoutthesideofahillthathasneverdonethatbefore.Howmuchlongerareyougoingtoletthempollutethis

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stream?”HeaskedifIthoughtIwasindanger.Isaid,“Mister,I’vebeenindangeramonthandahalf.Imademydaughterleave.Itmayhappenoritmaynothappenwhilewetalkonthephonerightnow.Thestatehasseenthissituationdevelopingandnobodyisevensayingitisdangerous.”IalsocalledGwendolynKeyesFlemingattheEPARegionIVofficeinAtlanta.Theyalwayssayshe’sinameeting.Finallyyesterdaythesecretaryletmetalkwithherassistant.Isaid,“Weneedsomehelphere.Theyarelettingpoisonedwaterrundownthishillforfivemonths.I’vegiventhestateeveryopportunitytotakecareofthisproblem.I’vegot76acresofproperty.I’vegot2perennialstreamsrunningthroughandjoiningonmyproperty.AndeverydayIhavetobuywatertowatermytomatoplants.That’smakingmeangry.ThewaterthatI’mbuyingiswaterthatisrunningdownhillandisbeingpumpedbacktomeonthecitywatersystem.I’vedoneeverythingIcantosavetheonestreamthatwasleft,andnowitisgone.AndIhavedangerousblow-outuphereandcan’tgetanyhelp.”IseeproblemsthestaterefusestoseeAfterthattheOSMsentseveralinspectorscameout.ItoldthemIbelievethatIaminimminentdanger.Theyseemedshockedbythethingstheysawwhentheywerehere.Whentheystartedlookingatallthereclamationbehindmyhouse,theykeptsaying,“Thisisallinviolation.”Oneguysaid,“Rick,eventhoughtheyhaven’tminedwherethatslipis,theyminedwithin20feetofitandtheslipisstillontheirpermit.”Butthestateisstillsayingno,theslipisnotminerelated.Nostateinspectorhaswrittenthemaviolation.ThesamedaytheOSMwashere,wealsosawastateinspectoruponthehilllookingattheslide.(Maybethat’sanothercoincidence.)Oneofthefederalinspectorssaidtohim,“Look,thereareallkindsofviolationsaroundhere.”Thestateinspectorrepliedthathehadn’tdonehisquarterlyreportyetandhadn’thadtimetolookthingsover.ButIknowhe’sbeenupheremanydaysoverthepastmonth.IwentuponthehillalittlewaystoshowtheOSMinspectorsaviolationthatthestatehasneverissuedbecausetheirinspectoristoolazytogetoutofhistrucktoseeit.(Somehowevenfromhelicopterstheyneverseetwobigpitsandtwobigpointsthathaveneverbeenreclaimed.)LaterinthedayIbelievethosefederalinspectorshadavisitfromthecoalcompany,becausetheylatertoldmetheycouldn’tlookatmorepermitviolations.TheysaidtheywereonlytheretodetermineifIwasinimminentdanger.AndtheyaskedmeifIhadarighttobeuponthehillonthepermittedarea.Thatquestiontoldmethatthecompanyhadgottentothem.Isaid,“Yes,IdidgetaregisteredletterfromthecoalcompanytellingmeIcan’tgouphere.Youcanseeforyourselfwhythatis.Theydon’twantmeherebecauseIseeproblemsthatthestaterefusestosee.”Itneverends.Andit’smakingmeangry.ThefederalOfficeofSurfaceMininginspectorscameoutherealmosttwoweeksagotoevaluatethesituationanddetermineifIfaceimminentdanger.SincethenIhaven’theardaword.I’veleftmessages,butIgetnoresponse.Theymaybewaitingforthestatetoputouttheirownreport.Ijust

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don’tknow.It’sreallyastrangesituation.IftheydeclarethatIaminimminentdanger,whatactionswillthattrigger?Idon’thaveaclue.Thisisnewterritory.ThewaterflowingoutofthishillsidenowistheweirdestlookingwaterI’veeverseen.It’sshinyandclear.Theconductivitywas1,900inJanuary.Lastweekitwas4,200.That’sthehighestreadingI’veeverheardof.ThemostrecentpHreadingwas2.6.That’sthesameacidityaslemonjuiceandit’sabout1,000timesmoreacidicthanrainwater.Itallmakesmewonder,howlongwillthestateagenciesallowthispoisonedwatertoflowdownstreambeforetheytakeanyaction?Ican’tsleep.Youknowhowwhenyouhaveababyyousleepwithoneearopen?That’swhatI’mdoing.Itneverends.Anditismakingmeangry.TherearealotofpeopleacrossKentuckywhohavebeentomyplace.TheyhaveseenwhatI’mdealingwith.They’dbesurprisedathowmuchthingshavechangedintheselastfewmonths.Atthispoint,I’dlikeforeveryonetostaytuned.Let’sseewhatactionthestatedecidestotake.Rightnowwearealljustwaitingforthemtodotherightthing.Whatwouldtherightthingbe?Well,they’vegottostopthepoisonedwaterfromrunningintothestream.Thatmeanscreatingapondwhereitcanbetreated.Theblow-out,Idon’treallyknow.Butwecan’tcontinuetoletthiswaterruninthestream.

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AppendixI–ASummaryofActionsmembersofKFTChaveaskedGovernorBesheartotaketobeginaneconomictransitionineasternKentuckyandprotectourland,waterandpeopleSupportaneconomictransitiontocreategood,newjobsforourminersandmountaincommunities.! Fosterasincere,publicdiscussionabouttheopportunitywehavetobeginaneconomictransition

forcoalworkersandcommunities.! Supportsignificantnewinvestmentsinjobcreationinthemountains,especiallyintheareasof

landandforestrestoration,energyefficiency,andrenewableenergydevelopment.! VigorouslysupporttheCleanEnergyOpportunityAct(In2011thiswasHB239)! InvestinplansproposedbythecityofLynchandothereasternKentuckycommunitiestoretrofit

publicbuildings,helplocalresidentsandbusinessessavemoneybysavingenergy,anddevelopcommunity-scalerenewableenergyprojects.

Stopthedestructionofourland,waterandpeoplebyfullyenforcingexistinglawsdesignedtoprotectourhealthandcommunitiesfromdestructivemining.! DirecttheKentuckyEnergyandEnvironmentCabinettowithdrawfromthelawsuititjoinedlast

October,inwhichyouradministrationsidedwiththecoalindustryagainsttheEPA’seffortstoprotectourhealthandwaterquality.

! DirecttheKentuckyDivisionofWatertostopusingarubber-stampprocess(knownasthe402generalcoalminingpermit)whichallowscompaniestopolluteourwaterwithminimalrestrictionsandwithoutpublicinputaboutsite-specifichealthandenvironmentalimpacts.

! PubliclysupporteffortsbycityleadersandresidentsofLynch,Kentuckytopreventproposedminingthatthreatenstheirwatersupply,culturalheritage,economicdevelopmentinvestments,andecologicalsystems.

! Supportproposedfederalmine-safetyrulesthatareaimedateliminatingblacklungdiseaseandallowingessentialenforcementactionstobetakenindeepminesthatdemonstrateapatternofviolations.

Speakhonestlyandpubliclyabouttherealchallengesfacedbyourmountaincommunities,namely:! Callforanendtoextremeandviolentspeechaimedatcitizenswhoareworkingtoprotect

Kentucky'sland,airandwater.! Acknowledgethatsurfaceminingcausesunacceptableandwidespreadharmtoourland,water

andpeople;! Acknowledgethatcoaljobsandreserveshaveenteredaperiodofrapiddeclineineastern

Kentucky,inlargepartduetomarketforces,businesstrends,andfiniteresources;! Makeitclearthatitisgoingtotakeallofusworkingtogethertoprotectourland,water,and

healthandtransitiontoaneweconomyandcleanenergyfuture.

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AppendixII–Letterrequestingafollow-upmeetingwithGovernorSteveBeshear

May17,2011HonorableGovernorSteveBeshear700CapitolAvenue,Suite100Frankfort,Kentucky40601DearGovernorBeshear,Itwasourpleasuretohostyou,alongwithSecretaryLenPetersandadvisorEddieJacobs,duringavisittocommunitiesaffectedbydestructiveminingpracticesineasternKentucky.Thankyoufortheopportunitytoshareourhopesandconcernsandtoaskforyourhelp.WeweregladthatyouagreedtoStanleySturgill’srequestforfollow-upmeeting.Itisoursincerehopeandintentiontocontinueadialoguewithyouandmembersofyouradministrationandtomakemeaningfulprogressonanumberoflong-standingconcerns.Withthisletter,wewouldliketoformallyrequestthatadatebescheduledatthesoonestpossibleopportunityforthisimportantconversation.Ourcontactinformationisprovidedattheendofthisletterinordertodiscussandconfirmplansforthismeeting.WesuggestthatthenextmeetingtakeplaceinFrankfortinordertoallowforparticipationfromappropriaterepresentativesoftheEnergyandEnvironmentCabinetorotherstateagencies.Wewouldwelcometheopportunityforadetaileddiscussionwithyouandmembersofyouradministrationaboutourconcerns.Belowaresomeoftheissueswebelievewouldbebeneficialtodiscuss:

" ActionsneededtoprotectthecommunitiesofBenhamandLynchfrompendingsurfaceminingpermitsthatthreatenthewaterandmanyeconomicandculturalassetsofthecommunity.Thiscouldincludedenyingpendingpermits,approvingaLandsUnsuitableforMiningpetitionornegotiatingtopurchaseadditionalmineralrightsonBlackMountain.

" Actionsneededtoimprovethestate’senforcementofwaterqualityandsurfacemininglawsandtostrengthenKentucky’scooperationwiththeUSEPAtoprotecthumanhealthandtheenvironment.Thiscouldincludewithdrawingfromthestate’slawsuitagainsttheEPA,directingtheKYDivisionofWatertostopusing402generalcoalminingpermitorre-openthe402generalpermitforrevision,addressingconcernsabouttheneedforadditionalresourcesforenvironmentalprotectionandenforcement,andaddressingconcernsaboutpersistentlackofenforcementbytheKentuckyDivisionofWaterandKentuckyDivisionofMineReclamationandEnforcement.

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" Actionsneedtosupportsignificantnewinvestmentsinjobcreationinthemountains,especiallyintheareasoflandandforestrestoration,energyefficiency,andrenewableenergydevelopment.

" Actionsneededtofosterasincere,publicandcivildiscussionaboutmanycriticalchallenges

facingmountaincommunities,includingtheprojecteddeclineofcoalproductionandjobsintheregion,thewidespreadharmtohealthandtheenvironmentcausedbysurfacemining,andtheneedandopportunitytobeginaneconomictransitionforcoalworkersandcommunities.

Thankyouforyourcontinuedattentiontotheseimportantmatters.Welookforwardtohearing

fromamemberofyourstafftoconfirmanddevelopplansforthismeeting.Sincerely,RickHandshoe,Hueysville,KY;606-358-4912;handshoer@bellsouth.netStanleySturgill,Lynch,KY;606-848-0997;stanleysturgill@bellsouth.netDougDoerrfeld,Elliotville,KY;606-784-9226;dkadoer@yahoo.com