UMD ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Persuaded Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to require that mining companies obtain Aquatic Resources Alteration Permits (ARAP) prior to altering mountain headwater streams (ephemeral, intermittent and perennial).
Persuaded TDEC to eliminate two general ARAP permits that allowed the alteration of headwaters statewide.
Persuaded TDEC and the Army Corps of Engineers to require that mining companies obtain section 404 permits for the alteration of headwaters.
Persuaded TDEC to eliminate the perennial stream on Tackett Creek Mine #1 ARAP permit and enforce a 100 foot buffer zone.
Persuaded TDEC to stop issuing ARAP permits for coal companies to alter undisturbed intermittent and perennial streams and enforce 100 foot buffer zones on either side for all new permits.
Helped persuade TDEC to stop issuing permits to mines operating in acid coal seams of ph 5 or lower.
Helped persuade Gov. Bredesen to request a new PEIS for Tennessee.
Persuaded TDEC to post ARAP hearing notices on TDEC’s website.
Persuaded TDEC to require companies to analyze alternatives for ARAPs.
Requested and organized numerous public hearings.
Led media, citizens, scientists and NGOs on aerial and mine tours.
Established a comprehensive water testing program for the coal fields.
Organized public outreach events, recruited and trained fieldwork and water testing volunteers.
Strengthened UMD by creating and organizing Listening Projects in the coal communities and trained other NGOs how to do them.
Helped found and coordinate a multi-state coalition called Mountain Justice (MJ) addressing mountaintop removal in Appalachia linking: UMD, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Coal River Mountain Watch, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, Lexington Environmental Action Project, Lowbagger, Keeper of the Mountain Foundation, and other engaged citizens. In Tennessee UMD works with: National Parks Conservation Association, Obed Watershed Community Association, Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, Tennessee Coal Ash Survivors Network, Global Community Monitor, Sierra Club, Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville and leading scientists.
Aided the Roane County community in the aftermath of the TVA disaster.
-       Distributed information about coal ash
-       Distributed water door to door and set up a community water distribution center
-       Set up water sampling of the Emory and Clinch rivers with Appalachian Voices, Hurricane Creekkeeper, Watauga Riverkeeprers, and Duke University
-       Collaborated with Environmental Integrity Project on rounds of water sampling 
-       Organized the first community meeting after the disaster with over 200 attendees
-       Set up a series of follow up community meetings
-       Helped establish the Tennessee Coal Ash Survivors Network (TCASN)
-       Collaborated with TCASN and the Global Community Monitor to set up a citizens air monitoring program.