The Cumberland’s in Tennessee has beautiful forestry, rich aquatic life, and many critters like the Cumberland dusky salamander, green salamander, ashy darter, Big South Fork crayfish and freshwater mussels. This beautiful area is renowned for many outstanding outdoor recreational activities as well. However, there is a threat of destruction from possible surface mining projects.
You can read more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/cases-and-projects/coal-mining-in-the-cumberlands and some of the concerns of the Center for Biological of mining projects at http://action.biologicaldiversity.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17409. Such projects of surface mining could disrupt many of the activities in the park, like hiking, hunting, just to name a few. Other pleasures may be enjoying the views and the area is home to various wildlife. Past mining has already affected other resources in the parks and put several species of critters at risk.
We want to work in support of the Center for Biological Diversity to permanently protect this special region in the Cumberland’s in Tennessee. Our efforts in this petition is to ask for a finalization of the full protection from surface mining, as stated in their request, to designate more than 67,000 acres of the tops of the Cumberland’s as "lands unsuitable for mining." But we want to protect this area for its beauty and rare, glorious creatures that call it home. You can help on this issue by signing and sharing this petition.