Outside EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., early this morning, activists engaged in a demonstration against mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining in Appalachia. 

(Photo:  Rainforest Action Network.)

They called upon Administrator Lisa Jackson to come witness the practice, to enforce the Clean Water Act, and effectively end MTR.

It would have been hard for those walking down Pennsylvania Avenue, a main artery of the city, to miss the colorful tapestries that were up in front of the building since 7 am. 

Two 20-foot tripods were erected outside the entrance, draped with large purple fabrics to look like mountains in the hue of dawn.  Adrian Wilson & Kate Sinneran, propped themselves up on top of the tepee-like tripods.  Four more have locked themselves down to the base.

(Kate Sinneran is comfortably perched.  Photo:  Chris Eichler.)

They are resolved to stay put until Jackson agrees to go on an airplane tour over the Appalachian mountains.

So far, Capitol Police haven’t given the protesters any trouble, according to Kate Rooth of Rainforest Action Network, who organized the event. 

“I don’t know what they’re going to do about us staying over night, though,” she said.

(Chuck Nelson, retired miner.  Photo:  Chris Eichler.)

Chuck Nelson, a retired underground miner of thirty-years, was there to encourage the demonstration.  He spoke to RAN about the issue,

“Mountaintop removal should be banned today. The practice means total devastation for communities, the hardwood forests, the ecosystems, and the headwaters. Why should our communities sacrifice everything we have?”

Nelson remarked on the rather friendly reception of the D.C. authorities, said Rooth.  In West Virginia, such actions are usually met with air horns, spotlights, and conspiracy charges.

(Photo:  Johnny Kilroy)

Many MTR activists believe they are making serious headway in getting attention from Washington on the issue. 

Getting policy makers to go out and see the issue first-hand, they believe, is fundamental to making educated decisions on cleanup bills that are currently in committees of the House and Senate. 

Last week, Congressman Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV, 1st District) agreed to do such a fly-over of a mountaintop removal site, after meeting with lobbyists from the Alliance for Appalachia.

Just as conservationist John Muir influenced President Teddy Roosevelt by showing him the “real Yosemite,” Appalachians would likely make a lasting imprint on today’s leaders in Washington by showing them the real mountaintop removal.

Check out more of what RAN is doing to stop mountaintop removal, at http://www.mountainpledge.org.