Template 1: Petition Opposing a Mining Permit (General Use)
Title:
Protect Our Community: Stop the Approval of the [Mine Name/Permit Number] Permit
Petition Text:
We, the undersigned residents and supporters of [Community/County/State], urge [Regulatory Agency Name] to deny the proposed [mine type] mining permit (Permit No. ______) due to the significant risks it poses to our community, our environment, and our long-term well-being.
The proposed project threatens:
- Local water resources, including [name of streams/wells/aquifers], which may face contamination, depletion, or long-term damage.
- Air quality, with harmful particulate matter and diesel emissions known to worsen asthma and cardiovascular health.
- Public safety, including risks from blasting, heavy truck traffic, and unstable ground conditions.
- Ecological integrity, including impacts on wildlife habitat and ecosystems unique to our region.
Given these risks- and the company’s failure to demonstrate adequate protections- we call on [Regulatory Agency] to deny this permit and prioritize the health, safety, and future of our community.
We respectfully request full consideration of community concerns and a transparent, accountable regulatory process.
Name | Address | Signature
Template 2: Petition for Stricter Enforcement of Mining Regulations
Title:
Hold Mining Companies Accountable: Strengthen Oversight and Enforcement in [State/Region]
Petition Text:
We, the undersigned, call on [State Regulatory Agency/Department of Environmental Protection] and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) to strengthen enforcement of mining laws and ensure full compliance with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA).
Communities across [Region/State] have endured:
- Ongoing violations of permit conditions
- Delayed reclamation
- Subsidence damages to homes, farms, and water supplies
- Air and water contamination
- Insufficient public notification and transparency
We call for:
- Increased inspections, including unannounced visits for active operations.
- Meaningful penalties for repeat and chronic violators.
- Timely issuance of cessation orders when serious violations occur.
- Transparent posting of violation data, notices, and enforcement records.
- Community-centered permitting processes, including accessible public hearings and comment opportunities.
Our communities deserve regulators who act swiftly, fairly, and transparently to protect public health and uphold the law.
Name | Address | Signature
Template 3: Petition to Reform Longwall Mining Regulations
Title:
Protect Our Homes and Water: Reform Longwall Mining Regulations Now
Petition Text:
We, the undersigned residents of [County/State], call on [Regulatory Agency] and elected officials to reform longwall mining regulations to better protect our streams, groundwater, and homes.
Longwall mining is known to cause:
- Severe subsidence, leading to cracked foundations, damaged roads, and destabilized land
- Permanent damage to streams, wetlands, and springs
- Loss of private water supplies, forcing families to rely on temporary or tanker water
- Methane emissions that contribute to climate change and endanger mine workers
Despite these well-documented harms, regulatory responses in [State/Region] have repeatedly been weak, inconsistent, and influenced by industry pressure.
We demand:
- Stronger protections for streams and water supplies
- Mandatory baseline water testing prior to mining
- Full compensation for damaged homes and wells
- An end to “fix-it-later” permitting
- Transparent data on subsidence, water loss, and methane emissions
Longwall mining should never move forward unless communities are fully protected.
Name | Address | Signature
Template 4: Petition Supporting Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Funding
Title:
Reinvest in Our Communities: Protect and Expand Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Funding
Petition Text:
We, the undersigned, urge Congress, OSMRE, and state leaders to maintain and expand funding for the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Program and ensure it is used effectively to protect communities impacted by legacy coal mining.
Across the country, AML sites threaten our safety and environment through:
- Dangerous highwalls
- Open shafts
- Polluted streams
- Unstable land
- Landslides and mine fires
Reclamation not only protects public health- it also creates jobs, supports local economies, and restores land for productive future use.
We ask that leaders:
- Fully fund AML reclamation programs.
- Prioritize projects that benefit disproportionately impacted communities.
- Require transparency in how funds are allocated and spent.
- Support community-informed reclamation planning.
Restoring the land is a necessary step toward restoring our communities.
Name | Address | Signature
Template 5: Petition Demanding Transparency from Coal Companies
Title:
We Deserve the Truth: Require Full Transparency from Coal Companies Operating in Our Communities
Petition Text:
We, the undersigned, call on [Regulatory Agency], elected officials, and mining operators to provide full transparency regarding mining plans, pollution levels, reclamation timelines, and environmental risks.
Communities cannot protect themselves when:
- Permit documents are difficult to access
- Violations are not publicly reported
- Monitoring data is withheld
- Subsidence maps and methane data are hidden
- Public notices are poorly distributed
We demand:
- Clearer public notifications
- Easy access to permit documents and maps
- Timely disclosure of violations and spills
- Public release of monitoring data
- Honest communication about environmental and health risks
Transparency is not optional- it is essential for public trust and community safety.
Name | Address | Signature