Eastern Coal

Regional

Roundtable

We serve as a helping hand to those grassroots watershed groups that strive to solve environmental problems in Appalachian Coal Country. 

Recognizing that these groups often experience similar challenges, the Roundtable provides informational resources to watershed groups so they can more effectively deal with those challenges. 

Funding is normally at the top of the list of needs, so we regularly research grant opportunities and funding sources and disseminate relevant information to hundreds of groups over its 9 state service area.  We also provideinformational resources on a variety of topics through this website and through regular email newsletters. 

Our mission statement provides a more comprehensive description of our role in Appalachia's environmental community.

The Roundtable is one of a number of regional roundtables created through a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss regional watershed issues.  The US Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining (OSM) provided additional funding.

The Roundtable is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization governed by its Board of Directors.  The Board is comprised of representatives from its service area.  Staffing is made possible by an OSM/VISTA member who acts as the coordinator in our Kingwood, WV office.

A brief overview of our Hope and Hard Work Trainings, to begin in Fall of 2008.

   Background

The Appalachian states have been the scene of extensive coal mining since the mid-1800's, providing the fuel of the industrial revolution and two world wars. The nature of coal mining was one of boom and bust.

Coal operators brought rapid development and frenetic activity to an area until it was "mined out".  Coal companies often abandoned their operations and moved on, leaving in their wake communities without the economic means to sustain themselves.

Adding insult to injury, the land and water resources in coal mining communities were left in deplorable conditions, as coal mining prior to 1977 was largely unregulated. To this day Appalachian Coal Country is largely characterized as an economically depressed and environmentally challenged region.

There is a movement afoot in coal country where citizens are fighting back. They see the connection of scarred landscapes and polluted water with their economic woes. Forming local grassroots organizations known as "watershed groups", the citizens of Coal Country are finding solutions to their environmental problems as a necessary step on the road to an overall better quality of life.