On Nov 22, 2009 James Schroeder wrote

Jim sent the following letter to Rock Creek area representatives and senators; the Governor with a copy to Jim Fyke, TDEC; all members of the house committee on environment; all members of the senate committee on environment.

I am writing this with deep concern as it has been brought to my attention that coal exploration drilling was completed recently in the 1987 Lands Unsuitable for Mining area of the Rock Creek Watershed in southern Bledsoe County. Highland Lands Company and America Energy Company are planning to seek a SMCRA permit for surface coal mining of approximately 1700 acres in the Rock Creek watershed. It is well documented that this Sewanee coal seam is one of the most toxic coal seams in Tennessee. One need only review the effects of past mining of this seam in the Possum Creek and Board Camp Creek Areas (all in adjacent Hamilton County) to understand its effects. Even today, many years after mining, both of these streams have brown AMD (Acid Mine Drainage) entering them and resulting in low ph readings and minimal if any aquatic life. And in the case of Board Camp Creek, it is still happening after an extensive reclamation project where tons of limestone rock was installed to neutralize the negative effects.

My concerns stem from the fact that the Rock Creek is one of the few streams on the Walden Ridge that is in still near pristine condition, unaffected by mining. The LUMP designation was legally obtained with strong documentation back in 1987. Rock Creek, as it enters Hamilton County, quickly enters the Cumberland Trail State Park and the Cumberland Hiking Trail crosses it and parallels it for a number of miles. This trail and its construction is becoming more nationally know each year. In addition, I have personally given hundreds of volunteer hours in the survey, design, and construction of this section of the Cumberland Trail.

Based on the above I strongly urge you to do all at your disposal to prevent any opening of these LUMP lands for coal mining and the negative effect it will have on the environment of Tennessee. It would just appear to me, that in these days of concern for environment and the associated greenhouse effect, the mining and use of the Sewanee Coal Seam would be another step in the wrong direction.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Jim Schroeder
1730 Wiltshire Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
615-896-3023