Monday, August 31, 2009

Strip Mining Creates Economic Opportunities with Cattle

A pro-coal mining story with nary an environmental negative nelly quote in it... and out of the Herald Leader, no less.

Here's a snip from Bill Estep's piece:


There are small herds of cattle on reclaimed mine sites throughout the region, as well as horses and goats. Small farmers cut hay from reclaimed mine sites, and a few people are using the sites for products such as Christmas trees and apples, according to University of Kentucky extension agents in the region.

Agents said they've seen an increase in the number of cattle being raised in Eastern Kentucky over the last decade on reclaimed mines.

"I would say as far as the expansion of land, strip-mined land is probably the best thing that we've got going," said Shad Baker, the extension agent in Letcher County.

"It's some of the only land that we have that's manageable. I'm seeing more people graze it."



Read More @: www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/914719.html

Cross Posted @ www.cyberhillbilly.com

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