KFTC members tell OSM to "Pull the rule and enforce the law!"

"I came from Central Kentucky, but I have friends here from Eastern Kentucky from Jefferson County from all of our chapter areas.  We came a long way to be here tonight.  We are all in opposition to this rule change.  We are in this with our hearts."

KFTC members from all 10 chapter areas came out in force to oppose proposed changes to the Stream Buffer Zone rule at a public hearing held by the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) on October 24 in Hazard, KY.

135 people attended the hearing to make and listen to public comments on the Bush Administration's proposed rule change. Simultaneous hearings were held in the coal producing states of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.  Virginia was denied a hearing. This was the only opportunity residents of coalfield states had to address OSM officials personally and make public comments. KFTC members took the opportunity to not only oppose the Stream Buffer Zone rule but raise concerns over mountaintop removal mining and general stream health in Kentucky.

Of the 135 people in attendance, 34  people spoke. 29 of those were comments from people that opposed the change to the Stream Buffer Zone and 27 of those voices of opposition came from KFTC members!

KFTC would like to recognize and thank our members who made public comments:   Russell Oliver,  Ellis Keyes, Wallace McMullens, Beverly May, Rick Handshoe, Carl Shoupe, Jeff Chapman-Crane, Lyle Snyder, Jason Strange, Gregg Wagner, Paul Flemming, Cari Moore, McKinley Sumner, Roy Silver, Teri Blanton, Herb E. Smith, Pam Maggard, Barbara Bailey, Susan Williams, Whit Forrester, Erica Urias, Brenda Urias, John Roark, Truman Hurt, Ka'Seana Jones, Doug Doerrfeld. And we'd like to thank the many others who came in car loads and bus loads from Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, Berea and Lexington to show their support!

It was a great night, but action is still needed!  Visit our Stream Buffer Zone pages to learn how you can take action by submitting a written comment to the OSM before November 23rd and writing a letter to the editor of your local paper on the importance of protecting Kentucky's headwaters and mountains!