Senator Lamar Alexander

800 Market Street, Suite 112

Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

Dear Senator Alexander:

Please encourage a review by the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) of the environmental impact of coal mining in Tennessee and for the development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), as requested by the Governor Bredesen. An EIS is necessary to gather the environmental data needed to prevent the most destructive mining practices, to protect our health and to preserve our communities.

Also please let OSM know that when the petition to consider the suitability of the New River watershed for mining is resubmitted, it should receive serious consideration on the merits. OSM’s dismissal of the previous petition without a substantive review showed more concern for the mining industry than for the citizans OSM is to serve.

Thank you for your consideration of my views.

Sincerely,

cc:

Brent Wahlquist, Acting Director, Office of Surface Mining

1951 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240