"Twas the night before Christmas" and "What to our wondering eyes should appear…" but shock & a bit of horror at the realization that the Conservation Fund really did transfer over 15,000 acres of undeveloped coal rights in Carroll County, Ohio to Rosebud Mining Company. We’d heard some talk, but the proof is in the permit. The transfer has enabled the proposed development of a deep, room & pillar mine, with a surface mine at the portal. The deep mine will undermine the property of over 300 rural landowners, putting their water at risk, & poses multiple threats to the environment, wildlife, & the peace & tranquility of the region. In addition, the transfer will enable the creation of a coal prep/washing facility & waste storage site in nearby Harrison County. Both operations involve the Conotton Creek & Tuscarawas River water shed area, & the prep plant will affect the Conotton Creek Trail, a completed, 11 mile Rails to Trails project in Harrison County.
 
While Harrison & other neighboring counties have endured massive mining intrusions in the past, Carroll County is one part of southeast Ohio that has not been heavily mined & that still enjoys pristine waters, forests & productive farmland. The area has been identified as habitat for the endangered Indiana Bat. The permit can be viewed at countercoalture.org/documents.  (Check out Part 1, pages 67-80 for transfer information.)