Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Preston Bryant and Virginia Secretary of Commerce Patrick Gottschalk will open a three-day symposium on coal mining and the aquatic environment on Sept. 6, 2007 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Va.

This symposium will be the first in a series of discussions about conservation and sustainable development in the globally significant Clinch and Cumberland River systems. The event will foster a better understanding of coal mining technology, aquatic resource conservation, and stream restoration opportunities and priorities. Future meetings may address a range of other important land use issues including urban storm-water runoff, toxic spills, forestry, and agriculture.

"Given the nation’s energy needs and commitment to environmental quality, the Central Appalachian region is at a critical crossroads to conserve the globally significant fish and mussel species found in these unique river systems, while continuing to provide a steady supply coal to the energy market," said Brad Kreps, director of the Clinch Valley Program of the Nature Conservancy. "Through constructive and positive collaboration among industry leaders, natural resource agencies, university and agency scientists, and public stakeholders, these goals can be accomplished."

The three-day event begins with field trips on Wednesday, Sept. 5. Alpha Natural Resources, the largest coal mining company in Virginia, will offer a tour highlighting current mining and reclamation practices that minimize impacts on water quality and encourage the restoration of native Appalachian forests. The Nature Conservancy and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will offer tours of a freshwater mussel propagation facility and a canoe trip down the beautiful Clinch River, home to more than 40 species of freshwater mussels and more than 100 varieties of fish.

On Sept. 6 and 7, a series of presentations and facilitated discussions with scientific researchers, industry officials, and state and federal agencies will provide important updates on the status and trends in coal mining, aquatic species health and diversity, and resource mitigation strategies. A poster session will also highlight current research in these globally significant watersheds.

Event sponsors are the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Alpha Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society, Virginia Tech, The Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. Geological Survey. For more information and to register for the conference, visit: www.cpe.vt.edu/cmrs.

Contact:

Share this story