We URGENTLY need YOUR VOICE!!
Published by MAC on 2004-00-15We URGENTLY need YOUR VOICE!!
Just follow these steps:
1. Copy and paste SAMPLE LETTERS below into a new email message
2. Click here, copy and paste the following email address to OSM: Blackmesa-comments@osmre.gov
3. Add your personal statements and information, then send email to OSM
4. Feel good about helping to save Black Mesa Water!
OR
1. Print out pre-written SAMPLE LETTERS below:
2. Add your personal statements and information, then send postcard in envelope to OSM (address below) with postage.
3. Feel good about helping to save Black Mesa Water!
The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is accepting PUBLIC COMMENTS until SEPT. 15th, 2004!!!
What's going on:
Peabody Coal Company has filed an application with the Office of Surface
Mining (OSM). Peabody is seeking to:
* Use MORE Black Mesa COAL! Peabody is proposing a 20% increase in coal production!
* Use MORE WATER! They want 6,600 acre-feet of water from the Coconino Aquifer, an aquifer that supplies water to many Northern Arizona communities and springs!
* The CONTINUED USE of the N-AQUIFER! Continued pumping of the Navajo Aquifer through 2008, if not indefinitely!
* Build a COAL WASHING facility! This facility would use potential drinking water and fill impoundments used by farmers with toxic materials!
* Seal in MINING RIGHTS! Peabody seeks to lock in mining rights until at least 2025
* and MORE! These are just a few of threats Peabody's application poses!
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE:
WE need YOUR comments. OSM is accepting public comment until SEPTEMBER 15th, 2004!
Either send in the pre-written postcards (text below or visit http://www.blackmesawatercoalition.org/postcard091504.htm ) OR better yet, write your own letter! Tell OSM this application is a bad idea!
SEND your COMMENTS to:
Jerry D. Gavette
Black Mesa/Kayenta Mine Team Leader
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
P.O. Box 46667
Denver, Colorado 80201-6667
Or E-mail your comments to Jerry Gavette at: blackmesa-comments@osmre.gov
Also send them to:
Honorable Gale Norton,
Secretary U.S. Department of Interior
18 th & C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
For more information contact Black Mesa Water Coalition, Black Mesa Trust, or the Sierra Club's SW EJ office or check out our websites!
Black Mesa Water Coalition Website: www.blackmesawatercoalition.org
e-mail: blackmesawatercoalition@yahoo.com
office #: (928) 226-0310
Black Mesa Trust Website: www.blackmesatrust.org
Sierra Club's Southwest Environmental Justice office
Website: www.sierraclub.org
SAMPLE LETTERS/EMAILS:
Dear Mr. Gavette,
Please accept these comments on Peabody Western Coal Company's recent mine application to the Office of Surface Mining. I urge you to treat Peabody's request as a new permit application, instead of a revision because of the adverse impacts it will have on the land, water, and cultures of Black Mesa.
Peabody's application is incomplete and must be subject to a new Environmental Impact Statement and Endangered Species Act review.
Furthermore, Peabody must carry the burden of establishing that their application is in compliance with all federal, state, tribal, and local regulatory programs.
Despite substantial evidence that proves the negative impacts of Peabody's pumping from the N-Aquifer and in the face of public demand that pumping from the Navajo Aquifer stop by the end of 2005, Peabody insists on using the N-Aquifer through 2008, if not indefinitely. Additionally, Peabody seeks to tap into another fresh water source, the Coconino Aquifer, for transporting and washing coal. The use of drinking water for this purpose is unacceptable.
The federal government has a special trust responsibility to Native American tribes. I urge you to live up to this responsibility and deny Peabody's request.
Signature
Printed Name
Address
City
State
ZIP
Dear Secretary Norton,
Please accept these comments on Peabody Western Coal Company's recent mine application to the Office of Surface Mining. I urge you to treat Peabody's request as a new permit application, instead of a revision because of the adverse impacts it will have on the land, water, and cultures of Black Mesa.
Peabody's application is incomplete and must be subject to a new Environmental Impact Statement and Endangered Species Act review.
Furthermore, Peabody must carry the burden of establishing that their application is in compliance with all federal, state, tribal, and local regulatory programs.
Despite substantial evidence that proves the negative impacts of Peabody's pumping from the N-Aquifer and in the face of public demand that pumping from the Navajo Aquifer stop by the end of 2005, Peabody insists on using the N-Aquifer through 2008, if not indefinitely. Additionally, Peabody seeks to tap into another fresh water source, the Coconino Aquifer, for transporting and washing coal. The use of drinking water for this purpose is unacceptable.
The federal government has a special trust responsibility to Native American tribes. I urge you to live up to this responsibility and deny Peabody's request.
Signature
Printed Name
Address
City
State
ZIP