SAVING
ZEB MOUNTAIN!
What you can do
press release for action
August 18th Banner hang and Blockade
As the sun began to immerge, earth first! affinity groups were busy
simultaneously unfurling banners and blockading the entrance to the
(Zeb Mountain) mountain top removal mine in Scott and Campbell county.
Both the three men locking down and the two women dropping the banner
were prepared to sacrifice their freedom if need be to make a stand
for the mountain.
The Rocky Top Trio affinity group
was busy at the entrance to the Zeb Mountain mine. Driving up in the
dark, the group piled out of vehicles and quickly began unloading gear.
Two pre-made barrels were rolled into place and rocks and cement were
poured into them while a banner saying "No Mountain Top Removal"
was hoisted above.
At 5:15 am miners began to show up for work and the trio and support
crew got into position. The trio locked into the barrels and to each
other, forming a blockade facing oncoming traffic to the mine.
The police and coal miner liaison began a conversation with the first
miner to approach the blockade and had a good conversation about mining
practices.
Coal companies want to mine thin layers of coal by blasting off the
tops of mountains. One of the miners revealed that 30'-40' holes in
the mountain top will be drilled through rock until coal is reached.
"You can tell when coal is reached because the drill just kind
of sounds different and sort of rattles" he said. Explosives are
then inserted into the holes and set up so that they go off with 15
second intervals between each blast. He recalled an underground miner
coming to his site and being scared to death. "You constantly have
to be on the alert for falling rock" he reminisced.
Robert Clear the owner of Robert Clear Coal Corporation, was called
in by one of the miners.
Robert Clear is calling the mining of Zeb Mountain "contour mining"
and stated that it is not mountaintop removal and that what they are
doing actually helps the mountain. Another miner with him stated
that "the Appalachian mountains are pretty steep and flat places
to build on are hard to find. We are required to re-contour the mountain
back to its original shape. We open up areas, why you could build a
Wal-mart in some spots."
Upon realizing that we were not in fact going to move, the police were
called in. Robert Clear became increasingly upset as the clock ticked
on. He pays $7000 per hour for the lease of the equipment, plus the
cost per hour for the miners themselves. Attempts to drive around the
blockade were futile. The night watchman on duty grimly watched from
the other side of the blockade (he was caught unaware and was blocked
in). It took a little over three and a half hours to move the blockade
(the cement had not fully hardened).
 |
climbing 150' at daybreak
they dropped banners (that could be seen from highway 75) that
said "stop mountain top removal". |
The local police were very courteous to us and explained that they
had gotten "a lot of flack about this mine from the locals".
The second affinity group the Banner
Busters began the daunting 150' climb of a large billboard
off I-75 and carrying all their gear (including two heavy banners which
said "Stop Mountian Top Removal"). Ground support was crucial
in assisting with hoisting the banners part of the way of the pole using
a pulley system.
The women were in excelling shape and had thoroughly prepared for what
they would face. The banner drop went off without a hitch. One of the
climbers, Meagan Carter stated that the view from the top was breathtaking.
The fog covered the valley and only the mountain tops were left poking
out.
Both Carter and Debbie Shumate spoke of the reverence they felt at
that moment for the majesty of the surrounding mountains. "It made
what we were doing so clear, we were making a statement of our alliance
with the mountains themselves. I love camping and hiking in these mountains,
they don't belong to some corporation with a temporary permit, but to
all of Tennessee." Shumate stated.
"This mountain has stood for eons, and now some greedy corporation
wants to grind it to rubble for a temporary profit. For 40 jobs we all
are being forced to sacrifice our heritage. Zeb Mountain is just the
first though. Permits are already lined up for mountain top removal
all along the Cumberland Plateau! People come from all over the country
as tourists, to view, hike, camp or fish within these mountains. Lots
of private businesses make their living from these visitors. This is
a clear case of short term gain for a minority and long term loss for
the majority" said Carter. "I want to make sure there are
mountains left for my daughter to enjoy."
The climbers stayed with the banner for hours and then descended, leaving
their message for all of the passing traffic to read. "Most people
don't know that this is even happening, we are here to make sure that
they do" said Shumate.
The trio consisting of john johnson, Dan Anderson & Mathew Hamilton
were released from jail the same day paying $190 court cost and no fine
each. The entire action cost $1,000
Katuah Earth First! is in need of contribution to pay for brochures,
stamps, gas and action supplies. All members are committed volunteers
and 100% of the donations go to campaign costs. We would also like to
get a donation of $60.00 to pay for a web site that loads faster and
doesn't have stupid corporate adds on the top of each page!
We would like to thank whole heartedly the wonderful people and organizations
that have or are sending contributions. Your support is vastly appreciated.
Shumate and Carter pose before ascending from the billboard. Our thanks
goes to Patagonia outdoor supply store for their generous contributions
to Katuah Earth First!.
WRITE TO
REVOKE ROBERT CLEAR COAL CORPORATION’S MINING PERMIT
Your comments can make a difference! Take a few minutes to call or email
your comments. Keep in mind that one hand written letter is worth 100
emails so it you can spare 10 minutes and a stamp, please write a letter
as well.
Governor Bredesen
Tennessee State Capital
Nashville, TN 37243-0001 |
Phone: 615-741-2001
Fax: 615-532-9711
Email: phil.bredesen@state.tn.us
|
Dr. Lee A. Barclay
US Dept. of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
446 Neal St.
Cookeville, TN 38501 |
Phone: 931-528-6481 ext 212
Email: lee_barclay@fws.gov
|
What do the mountains mean to you?
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