Maybe someone out there might know the answer to this question: what happens to a family graveyard when the land is sold to a coal company for strip mining? I am very worried. Many of those I hold dear are buried in that family graveyard. My ninety year old aunt just died in Martin County. What will happen to the graveyard? The coal company is buying out those who want to sell and they surround my aunt's property. My aunt was the hold-out. She refused to sell. My sister has inherited my aunt's land and she is considering keeping it, but how reasonable is it to keep property surrounded by strip mining? I'd be grateful for any information you might provide. Ada Wilson Kent Worthington, OH

Ada, contact the mining company and find out what they do for reclamation. Check with the state to see if the mining company is required to reclaim the land after they strip mine it....I think they are required to return it to usable land and not leave it a mess. If that is the case, and if your sister can wait long enough for them to do their mining, she could have a chance to be surrounded by nice land. I have seen some reclamation where they plant trees and really make it nice. But you have to find out if that is what they will be required to do. There are also laws about the cemeteries but many times they are ignored. If you make noise about it now you have a better chance of saving it. At the very least, I would contact the mining company and let them know that there are those who care about the cemetery and are watching what happens to it. Keep us posted. Sharon -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ada G. Kent Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 11:51 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [EASTERNKENTUCKY] Strip Mining Effect on Family Graveyard Maybe someone out there might know the answer to this question: what happens to a family graveyard when the land is sold to a coal company for strip mining? I am very worried. Many of those I hold dear are buried in that family graveyard. My ninety year old aunt just died in Martin County. What will happen to the graveyard? The coal company is buying out those who want to sell and they surround my aunt's property. My aunt was the hold-out. She refused to sell. My sister has inherited my aunt's land and she is considering keeping it, but how reasonable is it to keep property surrounded by strip mining? I'd be grateful for any information you might provide. Ada Wilson Kent Worthington, OH ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Why don't you call this attoney who lives in your area and ask him this question? If he doesn't know the answer he'll know someone of his kind that will know and your question will be answered and perhaps even by chance, save a piece of history as you are doing this!! Rhonda Warmack Houston ([email protected]) Worthington is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States Attorney: Jonathan M. Gabel Firm: Blaugrund, Herbert and Martin, Incorporated Address: 300 W. Wilson Bridge Road Suite 100 Worthington, Ohio 43085 Phone: 614-764-0681 Areas of Practice: Labor Law Municipal Law - this I'm sure would cover what you are asking about! -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ada G. Kent Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 10:51 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [EASTERNKENTUCKY] Strip Mining Effect on Family Graveyard Maybe someone out there might know the answer to this question: what happens to a family graveyard when the land is sold to a coal company for strip mining? I am very worried. Many of those I hold dear are buried in that family graveyard. My ninety year old aunt just died in Martin County. What will happen to the graveyard? The coal company is buying out those who want to sell and they surround my aunt's property. My aunt was the hold-out. She refused to sell. My sister has inherited my aunt's land and she is considering keeping it, but how reasonable is it to keep property surrounded by strip mining? I'd be grateful for any information you might provide. Ada Wilson Kent Worthington, OH ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Strip Mining companies are required to post a bond, so much per acre, before they can get a permit to do strip mining. BUT, this does not mean that the company will reclaim the land after they are finished mining. They usually just let the bond go and then that amount goes to the Dept. of Abandoned Mine Lands and they use that money to do what reclaiming they can. Sometimes it is enough to do a good job and some times it isn't. I worked for Abandoned Mine Lands for 20 years. And you have to keep right on them about a cemetery. They have been known to mine right up to the graves and even have left some vaults showing. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ada G. Kent Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 11:51 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [EASTERNKENTUCKY] Strip Mining Effect on Family Graveyard Maybe someone out there might know the answer to this question: what happens to a family graveyard when the land is sold to a coal company for strip mining? I am very worried. Many of those I hold dear are buried in that family graveyard. My ninety year old aunt just died in Martin County. What will happen to the graveyard? The coal company is buying out those who want to sell and they surround my aunt's property. My aunt was the hold-out. She refused to sell. My sister has inherited my aunt's land and she is considering keeping it, but how reasonable is it to keep property surrounded by strip mining? I'd be grateful for any information you might provide. Ada Wilson Kent Worthington, OH ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message