There are two recent victories for protection of God's Creation that I'd like to share with you. 

On January 13, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcedthat it has vetoed West Virginia's largest single mountaintop removal mining permit.  The EPA's decision blocks the over 2,200 acre Spruce No. 1 Minethat was slated for Logan County, West Virginia.  Mountaintop removal mining practices at this mine would have buried more than six miles of high-quality streams under mining waste.  

Peter S. Silva, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water said, "The proposed Spruce No. 1 Mine would use destructive and unsustainable mining practices that jeopardize the health of Appalachian communities and clean water on which they depend."

The EPA used its authority under the Clean Water Act to veto this permit.  Thank the EPA for this decision and urge Congress to improve protection for God's mountains through theNational Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program website.

The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program sent the following action alert with more good news for the protection of God's Creation:

Just before Christmas, as most of us were decorating our Christmas trees, the Department of the Interior Secretary Salazar reinstated a policy that allows the agency to designate certain places in the West as “wild lands."  This designation will keep these areas off limits to development.
This decision will allow unique irreplaceable places in God’s Creation that cannot be replaced to be protected and maintained for future generations of God’s children to enjoy. Join us in saying Thank You for protecting God’s Creation by clicking here to send a letter to Secretary Salazar.

Thank you for your continued ministry.

The Eco-Justice Team