In a stunning development today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new guidance designed to protect Appalachian streams from mountaintop removal mining, by taking an important step to prevent the removed mountaintops from being dumped into streams and valleys. This is great news for Appalachia, and EARTHWORKS congratulates our allies for their hard work in bringing this issue to the forefront of the EPA’s attention, and we also applaud Lisa Jackson and her team at the EPA for recognizing the importance of protecting clean water.

Richard Bass, along with his partner William H. Hunt, are currently trying to permit the largest coal strip-mine in Alaska’s history, the Chuitna Coal Project, along the Chuitna River. The mine would be built directly on top of 11 miles of prime salmon fisheries feeding the Cook Inlet.

Mr. Bass is the owner of the world famous Snowbird ski resort in Utah.  Ironically, his proposed mine threatens the very resort in which he takes so much pride. The Chuitna mine would release nearly 54 million pounds of greenhouse gases per year, piling on to man-made global warming -- the boogeyman of ski resorts and all winter sports. In addition, the mine would destroy one of Alaska’s most productive salmon fisheries and poses a direct threat to area wildlife.

For More Information:

• www.nobasscoal.org

"That's why when I go to the dentist, I have him remove my teeth through the top of my head."
(video after the jump)

As I blogged earlier, Richard Bass, owner of the world-famous Snowbird ski resort, is bankrolling a coal strip mine proposal in the watershed of Alaska's Chuitna River. It would be Alaska's biggest coal mine. The mine could destroy, beyond hope of recovery, one of Alaska’s most productive salmon fisheries, damage the watershed, and threaten the livelihoods of local fishermen.

A huge coal strip-mining operation proposed on Alaska’s Chuitna River by the owner of the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort in Utah has drawn the ire of groups concerned about the mine’s contribution to global warming.

Richard Bass, who owns the prominent Utah resort, has partnered with William H. Hunt to form PacRim Coal LLC, which has submitted permit applications to build a coal mine directly on top of 11 miles of prime salmon fisheries feeding the Cook Inlet.