Just as in the case of the battle over tobacco (when Kentucky’s tobacco farmers were far too often overlooked), one must view the controversy over surface mining from a local perspective, in human terms. If we ban surface mining altogether, have we properly explored economic alternatives for every community (such as tourism) – or would we condemn another generation of miners to the horrors of black lung and mine accidents? Does reclamation technology exist that could truly replace what surface mining destroys?

I suspect that you and I might disagree regarding solutions – yet, I commend your call for sensitivity and I pray that you can perpetuate such a spirit throughout the environmental movement. In doing so, you will win the support of people like me, who care about the environment but insist upon putting human needs first. By working together, we can find creative solutions that restore the harmony between the mountains and the hard working folks who call them home.