[outdoorsman43]

We as a nation demand energy. We must have the economic stability that the mining industry brings. We must find a way to protect our environment as well as the jobs so desperately needed in this fragile economy.

I agree that during the active mining operation, surface mining is an eye sore but what construction site isn't? Highways, retail and housing developments, and etc. all create disturbance during construction. Surface mining techniques restore the land to pre-mining conditions with remarkable success.

I will have some pictures posted shortly of reclaimed mountains and valleys.

[outdoorsman43]

Here is a picture of 2 reclaimed mountains and the valley that lies between them.

[outdoorsman43]

If you click to enlarge the photo, you can see that reclaimed mountains are just as beautiful and plentiful as before. The pollution of rivers is something that I agree is a problem. But, people (environmentalists) need to tell the WHOLE truth about mountain top mining.