MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL WEBQUEST

1: What is mountaintop removal? By removing a mountain top to make it easier to mine for coal and other natural resources. 2: How does each of the following affect the environment? Clearing: removing topsoil and vegetation Blasting: removal of 600 feet or more of elevation. Blowing up this much mountain is accomplished by using millions of pounds of explosives Digging: Coal and debris are removed using enormous earth-moving machines known as draglines, which stand 22 stories high and can hold 24 compact cars their buckets Dumping Waste: into near valleys Processing: Coal must be washed and treated before it is shipped to power plants for burning. This processing creates coal slurry or sludge, a mix of water, coal dust and clay containing toxic chemicals Reclamation: little vegetation are starting to come back 3: Where is mountaintop removal happening? Primarily in eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia, southwest Virginia, and East Tennessee. 4: What can be done to stop mountaintop removal? Clean Water Protection Act 5: What agencies are involved in regulating mountaintop removal? Presidents Council on Environmental Quality, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, which includes the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. 6: What is one reason why we dont need to use this type of process? It only provides less than 4.5 percent of our electricity. 7: Summarize the economic impacts of mountaintop removal By using this method to mine for coal, companies would not have to hire as many employees as they used to. It also increased the amount of coal being produces and shorten the amount of time that it takes for it to be produced. By making the area less attractive for other companies, they are able to create barriers to economic development and diversification.

8: Summarize the ecological impacts of mountaintop removal Moutaintop removal causes water pollution. The water would become acidic then flow down into nearby streams. This method of mining is also responsible for eliminating over 1.2 million acres of forest. Biodiversity in the area also decreases when moutaintop removal happened. It also affects indicator species, along with fish, and birds of the area that is being removed.

9: How does mountaintop removal affect the local community? Since the acid from the mine can possibly get into nearby waters, people could drink them. By drinking the water that contains acids, it increases their risk of getting diabetes, heart diseases, and even cancer. And by removing trees, it increases the danger levels during rainfalls. Erosions would increase when trees are removed.