Reclaiming a mountain after 1/3 of it (due to MTR practices) is blown into oblivian, is impossible. Throughout history,throughout the world, mountains have been considered spiritual. Consider the Himalayas. The Native Americans in America, the mountains of the biblical desert, etc. Whether you consider them as spiritual or not, it's like Humpty Dumpty, you can't put 1/3 of a mountain back together again. Resulting floods from erosion and displacement of families as their hometowns are demolished are just a few of the obvious problems in MTR practices and the results are far reaching.Re gas prices, I called the state in Ohio and they told me the natural gas companies charge what they do because they can. During the Reagan years ceilings were lifted on gas prices in many states, mine is one of them, and the natural gas (most of it out of Texas, go figure) is outrageously priced and has quadrupled w/ the current administration.My gas bill last month was $400, an outrage. Corpo! rate profits are what I found to be at the bottom of the natural gas prices. Removing coal has little to do w/ it. Per gasoline prices, I can't see a link at all. The only effect may be on electricty prices and electricity although overpriced, is not the primary concern, gas is. The coal can still be removed,and the supply kept at the same level, w/safer( employing available technology) deep mining practices, thereby employing more miners who desparately need jobs.MTR needs to be eliminated, immediately, while we still have some of our mountains intact.Of course it may cut into the profits of mine owners to employ improved deep mining practices, and this is precisely why it hasn't been done. This doesn't mean it isn't the logical, least destructive way to remove the coal. As long as they can get away w/ it,sadly they will continue to destroy West Virginia for profit. Gail wFrom: suebod <suebod@tampabay.rr.com> To: WVLOGAN-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Tue, 16 May 2006 00:40:36 -0400 Subject: [WVLOGAN] mountain top removal(OTS) Thank you for the site(s). Pardon my ignorance, but I don't understand something. In Florida we strip-mine also, for phosphates. But Florida state law requires miners to return the land to "its original state or better," when finished. Most become parks, fishing ponds, jogging/hiking trails, picnic grounds. If the state of WV has no such law, then as I understand it, the money-makers are allowed to take until it's gone and not give anything back? What kind of environment does that produce? My biggest question is: when they finish destroying WV, then what will they do? Try for Ohio or Kentucky? Those states are tough as nails on environmental protection. If this has been going on so long, it can't be just the current governor and government. What? Big money buys WV's government? Sick. Sue >============================== >Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the >last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: >http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx ============================== New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=14599&targetid=5429 ________________________________________________________________________ Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free.