From the Hearts and Homes of Stacy's Branch and Lott's Creek

Fingers from Stacy's Branch, all the way over the ridge to Lott's Creek have been working in overdrive the past week to make sure their Environmental Protection Agency knows where they stand.  From letter writing and drawing to picture taking, these communities are getting their message out.

The EPA will have the last say on a proposed mountaintop removal permit, involving 6 valley fills, on the ridge between Stacy's Branch and Lott's Creek. Below are pictures of an art project by the senior art class at Cordia School in the Lott's Creek community, along with excepts from a letter they included when mailing it to EPA Region 4 administrator Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming.

"The students here at Cordia High School have created this photo project to represent their pride for the beautiful mountains in which we live. The photos show some of the few classic beauties of why we love it here so much. We feel that the destroying of these magnificent mountains is truly devastating. We were wondering if you would like to meet us here sometime to get to know us and our community?

Thank you for taking the time to read this and look at our project. We hope to see you soon!"

Meanwhile, the families residing at the head of Stacy's Branch were writing their own letters to Fleming and others at the EPA:

"I, Shirley Sumner, and my husband, Winfred Sumner, do not want to have to leave from where we live. We have moved 13 times in 14 years and we are sick.  Our daughter lives close by and can help us if we need her.  Its been about 2 years since the company came and took pictures of my house and we have remodeled and had a new heat pump put in.

My family has four homes here in Stacy's Branch and we will fight to stay. I love this place, its home. We have good neighbors and many feel the same way I do.

We would like very much to meet with you about this permit."

We are waiting patiently for the EPA to respond and hopefully come meet with these communities. 

If you'd like to support these families, you may also contact the EPA and ask them to come visit Stacy's Branch and Lott's Creek before they make a decision on SMCRA permit #897-0480.

Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming
EPA Region 4 Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303-3104
404-562-8357
[email protected]