In both West Virginia and Kentucky this year, federal courts have ruled against groups that believe scientific research into the impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining on health should be considered by the agencies in charge of issuing permits.
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Winter Weatherization: Stay snug and save
By Eliza Laubach As falling leaves signal approaching winter winds, autumn is an ideal time to “bundle up” your home. Over time, building materials shift, which forces heating and cooling systems to work harder. And since many houses were built…
Kentucky 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.
Virginia 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.
Heavy-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.
Serving 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.
A 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.
The Catawba River’s “Pollution Solution”
Keeping doggy waste off the lawn and using eco-friendly fertilizer are gaining ground as efficient approaches to healthy waterways. In North Carolina three ninth-grade students developed a curriculum to teach their peers these practices.
One Artist’s Experience with Coal Ash
Caroline Armijo began an environmental justice art project after seeing many friends and family die from cancer in her North Carolina community, near one of the state’s largest coal ash impoundments. In this excerpt from her website, she describes the circumstances that shaped her paper sculpture creation, titled “Gray Matter.”
Rescuing the Red Spruce Ecosystem
After a hike up a mountain, Andrea Brandon gently places a red spruce sapling into the rich West Virginia soil. Though only twelve inches tall, this small tree and others like it are a promising start to the restoration of an entire ecosystem.
