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Exposed: Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
Nearly 650 mountaintop removal coal mining sites scar the landscape of central Appalachia. Neighboring communities experience greater levels of air and water pollution and suffer from higher rates of illness than similar communities located further away, says Dr. Michael Hendryx, a professor of applied health science at Indiana University who has contributed to more than…
Read MoreThe Book of Lenny
By Matt Wasson In September, Appalachian Voices lost a dear member of our family. Lenny Kohm worked at Appalachian Voices for nearly 13 years, during which time his wisdom and deep understanding of what moves people to take action became woven into the fabric of the organization. Lenny came to Appalachian Voices in 2001 after…
Read MoreA Family’s Troubled Water
After mountaintop removal coal mining began near their eastern Kentucky home, the Halberts saw their water quality and quality of life plummet. Three years later, they continue to seek answers.
Read MoreKentucky Sees Growth in Bald Eagle Population
Bald eagles are navigating a continued recovery in Kentucky. Reports made this August by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife observed 131 nests, a promising increase from the 42 nests found in 2005 and the single nest found in 1986.
Read MoreVirginia Restoration Reroutes Troubled Water
In Rockbridge County, Va., construction vehicles this August began carving out nearly half a mile of new streambed for the Maury River. Tree plantings to stabilize the soil are scheduled to begin this fall. This will be the largest stream restoration project completed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, which received funding from a federal grant program and a local family farm.
Read MoreHeavy-Volume Water Pipe Proposed on Nolichucky River in Tennessee
Rights to the Nolichucky River in Midway, Tenn., have remained contentious since 2011, when U.S. Nitrogen proposed an industrial chemical facility with a 10-mile pipeline connected to the river. The pipeline would withdraw nearly 2 million gallons of water per day, and 500,000 gallons would be returned, contaminated with small amounts of ammonium and nitrogen.
Read MoreServing Virginia Parks
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is launching the inaugural year of its Virginia Service and Conservation Corps program. Participants will maintain trails and improve natural habitats at Pocahontas, Leesylvania or Hungry Mother State Park.
Read MoreA First-Hand Look at Emerging Opportunities in Eastern Kentucky
When eastern Kentucky residents shared their regional vision at Appalachia’s Bright Future Conference this September, they could point to real examples. The main highlight of the conference, which attracted more than 100 people from across Appalachia, was a collection of 20 tours of local businesses, farms, music and art venues, tourist attractions, and community cooperatives.
Read MoreThe Truth About Coal Ash
Coal ash — the byproduct of burning coal for electricity — is currently less regulated than regular household garbage. Filled with heavy metals, coal ash is proven to contaminate groundwater and pollute communities with dust.
Read MoreFracking Opponents Rally Prior to Cullowhee Public Hearing on Draft Oil and Gas Rules
Contacts: Katie Hicks, Clean Water for North Carolina, katie@cwfnc.org, 828-251-1291 Sarah Kellogg, Appalachian Voices, sarah@appvoices.org, 828-262-1500 Donna Dupree, Jackson County Coalition Against Fracking, donnadupree44@yahoo.com, 828-246-1186 Susan Leading Fox, Swain County Coalition Against Fracking, snooz62@frontier.com, 828-736-5529 Avram Friedman, The Canary Coalition, avram@canarycoalition.org Denise DerGarabedian, Coalition Against Fracking in WNC, nofrackwnc@gmail.com Julie Mayfield, Western North Carolina Alliance,…
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