To: Permit Supervisor

WV DEP Division of Mining and Reclamation

1101 George Kostas Dr.
Logan, WV 25601

In regards: Pine Fork Surface Mine Permit S503508

Applicant: Aracoma Coal Company

Dear Sir or Madam,

As a concerned citizen, I am writing this letter in regards to the Pine Fork

Surface Mine permit application S-5035-08 submitted by Aracoma Coal
Company, and I request that it be inserted into the public comment record for
this permit.

The Battle of Blair Mountain is a seminal event in United States history,

fought in 1921 by coalminers attempting to unionize and a private army backed
by anti-union coal operators. This event has been highly significant in the
shaping of national affairs and consciousness throughout the 20th century. One
example is that in consequence of the battle the Federal Government reinstated
the Posse Comitatus law that had been suspended during World War I. This law
still regulates the use of federal forces within the United States, and was a major
element in the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005. Another national impact is
that the scale of the insurrection shifted labor-management relations into the
more cooperative framework that characterized the post WW2 boom era. At a
regional level, for many Appalachians it is the most concrete example of a
generations-long struggle to achieve basic human and labor rights. Due to the
Battle of Blair Mountain’s enormous significance to both national and regional
cultural heritage, it should be protected from any irreparable destruction.

Granting the Pine Fork permit would negatively impact both the battlefield
and the surrounding viewshed area of the battlefield, both of which are afforded
certain protective processes due to the battlefield being eligible for the National
Register of Historic Places. In addition, the area has not had any archaeological
investigations undertaken, and has a high potential for containing significant
archaeological resources. A full archaeological survey is needed to assess the
extent of archaeological resources in the surface mine permit area.

Another major concern is the cumulative affect that this mine will have in
conjunction with previous, current, and not yet granted mine permits and
applications. All these permits should be taken into consideration when issuing
this permit, since the cumulative effects of all permits could result in severe
impacts to the battlefield, surrounding landscape, and ecosystem. Because the
topography is integral to understanding the combatant’s movements, it is an
archaeological feature in itself and should be protected.

Due to the extraordinary significance of the battlefield and the irreparable

harm this permit could have on the battlefield, I respectfully request that this
permit be denied. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,