The Advocate — Issue #109

September 22, 2018

Hurricane Florence’s aftermath continues to disrupt NC communities

Floodwaters from Hurricane Florence continue to rise more than a week after the storm made landfall in North Carolina, spreading toxic contamination from hog farms and coal ash impoundments and raising concerns about the social disparity of residents impacted by the disaster.
Photo by Kemp Burdette, Cape Fear Riverkeeper

Federal fund for black lung in danger

If Congress fails to act before next year, a tax on coal companies that helps fund healthcare for current and former coal miners with black lung disease will be cut by more than half. Next week, we’re traveling to D.C. with Central Appalachian citizens to speak with decision-makers about this and other vital issues.

[ Read more and sign the petition ]

NC revisits coal ash rules

North Carolina’s new draft rules to govern coal ash weaken the way groundwater pollution and remediation is managed and don’t cover common but serious contaminants like boron and hexavalent chromium. Residents and experts have several opportunities to add their voice before October 15.

[ NC residents: Take action now ]

Stewarding our national forests

America’s public lands are a place of refuge and recreation, but how we manage them is a topic of intense debate. Read about special places, land management debates and forest champions in a special 12-page section of The Appalachian Voice.

[ Check out this issue ]
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Hands-on education in Central Appalachia

Youth in Southwest Virginia and Eastern Kentucky are participating in projects that foster science and technical skills through interesting projects like building tiny homes, testing water quality and developing satellites.

[ Read: FIRE Summit embraces hands-on learning ]
[ Read: Virginia students develop satellite technology ]

Get some NO PIPELINES bumper stickers to share!

Mail us a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope and we’ll send you four NO PIPELINES bumper stickers to share!

[ Get yours now ]

Now’s a great time to become a NEW member of Appalachian Voices! Join today and you’ll be entered to win our “back to school” package: a messenger bag from Patagonia and a signed copy of Gray Mountain by John Grisham!
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