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That same sense of betrayal of coalfield communities hovers above their heads at the Brushy Fork coal slurry impoundment. Despite pleas and protests by local residents, as part of the reckless mountaintop removal plans for Coal River Mountain, Massey Energy is now operating a strip mine near the Bee Tree branch of the mountain, blasting outrageously close to a multi-billion gallon coal slurry impoundment that is held back by a weakened earthen dam.
"Massey's aggressive mining mission doesn't even consider the fact that they have completely surrounded an elementary school and placing young children in harms way," adds Webb, who has campaigned with area residents for a new school for years. Marsh Fork Elementary School sits within a football field of toxic coal silos, as well.
According to Massey's own evacuation reports, a break in the coal slurry impoundment would result in certain injury or death for the nearly 1,000 residents downslope in the valley. Some area residents would have less than 15 minutes to escape a 72-foot tidal wave of coal slurry.
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http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/04/08-0
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