Thanks for the heads-up. I wish they had made more information about what exactly was going on readily visible on the page. I'm always hesitant to express an opinion if I don't know all the specifics.
there's a group on facebook even. a little more detail here
Name:
Help Save Smith Lake
Category:
Geography - Places
Description:
If you have ever spent any time on beautiful Smith Lake you know just how
wonderfully clean and clear the water is. We have been made aware of a COAL
COMPANY that has applied for a permit to strip coal in an area that is less
than 2500 yards from my house which is on Smith Lake.They tried to do this a
little over a year ago and we were able to stop them with a petition ( We had
over 1000 signatures )to Alabama Dept.of Environmental Management. They are
trying to do it again by going through a different agency.This time we have to
request a public hearing. I am attaching a letter that I hope you will print ,
sign and mail.Please copy this letter to all friends,co-workers and family
members concerned in keeping Smith Lake Beautiful.This would help so much. If
you have ever spent a day on this wonderful lake or intend to,this affects you
and you have the right to fight it.The letters need to be in their office
prior to Dec.15. So please don't hesitate. Fill free to add to the letter if
you wish.There will be a web site soon if you want to keep up with what's
going on. It will be " STOP STRIP MINING ON SMITH LAKE .COM "
stopstripminingo
nsmithlake.com . Thank you for any help,you can give.
******Please Sign and mail!!!!
Alabama Surface Mining Commission
P.O. Box 2390
Jasper Al. 35502-2390
To Whom It May Concern, 12-08-09
I am writing to make you aware of my opposition to the proposed strip mine at Brushy Pond on beautiful Smith Lake. (Please reference Permit # P-3939). I am requesting that a public hearing be set up at a large public site, such as Cullman Civic Center in Cullman Alabama, at a time after normal business hours. This venue will best suit due to the massive amount of people opposed to this project.
There are several reasons why this mining project is a terrible idea. The property that has been designated to strip mine has a least one underground spring and three creeks that drain directly into Smith Lake from the property owned by Jeff and Dianne Baggett on County Road 211 in Brushy Pond ,Cullman. Two of these creeks feed a beautiful water fall that goes directly into the lake where hundreds of pictures are made each year. Smith Lake is rated the second cleanest lake in the United States. (Just Google 2nd Cleanest Lake in USA). It has become Alabama’s summer retreat get away for many people from far away countries and many U.S. states, not just Alabama and Tennessee. It is very easy…just check the internet to see properties listed as far away as Germany. Many people from the Mercedes-Benz Plant in Vance Alabama now have lake properties on Smith Lake, not to mention all the other industries we have in our state. Now I ask you, do we want Alabama to lose the progress we all have seen come our way, after all the dedication and hard work was put in to get all of the industries here. We are in the News in a positive and progressive way now and on the U.S. Realtors map. Let us keep it from becoming a news disaster and removal from the map. Keep Alabama Beautiful and Growing.
Another concern are the roads in the area of the proposed mine. These roads are already below standard. I know that there is heavy equipment needed for this project and not to mention the coal trucks transporting the coal daily, which alone will destroy them completely. School buses are using these roads twice a day now. Not only would they be traveling on terrible roads, they would also be sharing these roads with huge coal trucks. These country roads are two lane and very curvy. This will be a disaster waiting for a place to happen because coal trucks are notorious for violating posted speed limits.
I am aware that it is my right to request a tour of the properties in question to be strip mined before this permit can be granted. I am formally requesting that tour take place as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
If you have ever spent any time on beautiful Smith Lake you know just how
wonderfully clean and clear the water is. We have been made aware of a COAL
COMPANY that has applied for a permit to strip coal in an area that is less
than 2500 yards from my house which is on Smith Lake.They tried to do this a
little over a year ago and we were able to stop them with a petition ( We had
over 1000 signatures )to Alabama Dept.of Environmental Management. They are
trying to do it again by going through a... (read more)
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