On Nov 16, 2009 Maureen O'Connell wrote

Hi David,

I think someone from SOCM has probably clarified with you that the Rock Creek Lands Unsuitable Petition (LUMP) which SOCM won back in the '80's specifically designated the Rock Creek gorge itself as off-limits to mining. Mining in the rest of the watershed was considered enough of a threat that the LUMP specifically mentioned that mining in the Sewanee coal seam, a highly toxic seam, was a threat to water quality. It said that a toxic material handling plan DEMONSTRATED to be effective in PREVENTING (not just treating) acid mine drainage would be required. No such plan has yet been created and demonstrated effective.

I think someone from SOCM has probably also mentioned to you that the stream buffer zone bill passed in the last legislative session, had one good provision about the Sewanee coal seam that indicated the state's analysis that mining shouldn't be done in seams that would inevitably cause acid mine drainage - I don't have the exact wording here with me.

I'm sure that SOCM would appreciate all the help from the Cumberland Trail Conference that it can get to stop any attempts to explore or mine in the Sewanee seam which essentially underlies almost the entire southern Cumberland Trail area. Any precedent SOCM wins on this will also protect the Cumberland Trail.

I'm cc-ing this to Landon whose letter is below (Hi, Landon!) and also to Cassie Watters, SOCM's lead organizer who will know which SOCM organizer is working on this issue.

Take care, David, and thanks so much for your interest.

Thanks again,
Mo