Despite the clear, negative environmental impact of this type of mining and the efforts of hundreds of citizen lobbyists, our Stream Saver Bill has been held up in the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee for the last three years without once being given a hearing. The chair of the committee, Rep. Jim Gooch (D-Providence) refuses to even present the bill to the committee for discussion.
In the 2007 session Rep. Gooch claimed there was no public outcry about this type of mining. On the following Saturday the Lexington Herald-Leader published over a dozen letters from people all around the state, outraged by his comments (the paper had received more than 60 such letters). In the 2008 General Assembly, we are going to make our biggest push yet for this legislation, and we need the help of all of our members and anyone who cares about health and well-being of our environment and our people. Kentuckians For The Commonwealth held a "I Love Mountains" rally in Frankfort, Kentucky and I was invited to shoot video and photos and I'm glad I went. These folks are amazing. The videos and photos of the event are below. Click here tor the full 57 minute video of the event.
Photo slide Youtube Video. Three short youtube video clips of the event.