The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Our Readers Speak

February 27, 2006

Our Readers Speak for Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Resolutions sound like buy off for Massey





The Proposed Resolutions between the Department of Environmental Protection and Massey Energy Company Subsidiaries sounds like another buy off for Massey Energy, giving them the right to deny guilt that has already been proved and free-reign to continue contaminating our waterways, polluting our air and ignoring the West Virginia laws which govern our state’s mining and environment.

I see no concern or solution for the citizens who dwell near these sites and are affected by their refusal to stop contaminating their water, polluting their air, destroying their property and endangering their health.

Nor should there be any compliance between Massey Energy and its subsidiaries with the Department of Environmental Protection. Our laws are written to protect all the people and should never be yielded to any one group, for then the other becomes the loser and is discriminated against.



Pauline Canterberry

Whitesville



Senator should take look at poisons in streams





Finally, a proposal by a state senator that partially makes sense. Sen. Shirley Love’s proposal to place a 10-day ban on trout fishing during the stocking period is a very good idea. The stock truck chasers won’t like it, but they can go to the trout ponds anytime they feel the need to catch tamed trout.

Pennsylvania has a similar trout regulation and it has worked out very well over the years. Banning trout fishing during the stocking period gives the fish time to spread out and get over the shock of being transferred from the hatchery.

The only problem I see with Sen. Love’s proposal is that the fish may die from manganese poisoning before the 10-day period is over.

Recently, lawmakers and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection have allowed increases in manganese levels. The only streams possibly protected are those having public water intakes within 5 miles downstream of the discharge point, or those streams that are within 5 miles downstream of the discharge point and are used for human consumption. We have no way of knowing where the trout may decide to settle down.

West Virginia waters have already been declared unsafe for consuming most fish, and now the manganese loads have been increased.

Maybe Sen. Love should amend his proposal to ban any increased limits of manganese, aluminum and other heavy metals and poisons coming from strip mine sites and prep plants.

Please give his office a call and urge him to do this. He will not only protect the trout, he will be protecting the humans also. Perhaps then we could even take the family swimming in Coal River again.



Bo Webb

Naoma

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