Thousands of acres and hundreds of miles of streams and rivers are being permanently demolished while state and federal government agencies continue to permit this destruction. The culture and history of Appalachia is disappearing with each mountaintop that is blown away. Mountaintop removal mining is one of the worst environmental disaster our country has ever known, and it's time this destructive mining practice ends!

Sending a letter to the editor of your local paper is a great way to spread the word about the importance of stopping mountaintop removal once and for all. We're excited to offer this new feature which gives you a simple and effective way to write and submit your letter. Just follow the steps below, and please be sure to let us know if you see your letter in print (please send the text of the letter, the paper, and date published so we can feature it on our website). This is a chance for you to get personal -- let editors know why you think mountaintop removal is wrong and why this issue is so important to you!

Here are some hints on how to make your letter compelling:

• Keep it short and to the point (under 150 words is best)
• Keep it polite. No personal or strident attacks!
• If possible, refer to something mentioned in the paper recently
• Proofread your letter carefully
• Don't be discouraged if your letter isn't published. Even unpublished letters can encourage a paper to pay more attention to mountaintop removal. Every effort counts!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 07, 2006