U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of the Secretary

Paul Bledsoe and Jamie Workman (202)208-6416


For Release: September 16, 1996

Interior Secretary tours natural site, issues declaration

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt tours Fern Lake, on the outskirts of Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, to announce the Administration's decision to declare the six square mile watershed unsuitable for surface mining.

"This marks a pivotal turning point in the history of the Appalachian environment," said Babbitt. "Rural communities across state lines came together, joined by local industry, and stood up to defend their beautiful and pristine watershed from potential threats."

Fern Lake is the sole source of drinking water for the city of Middlesboro, and is critical habitat for the federally threatened blackside dace. The waters of the lake are so pure, they are bottled by Coca-Cola Co., and marketed throughout the country.

Apollo Fuels Inc. proposed to surface mine for coal on 214 acres near the lake. But rural citizens and companies of Tennessee and Kentucky feared sediment and minerals would degrade the water quality, erode regional tourism, and adversely impact the taste and therefore marketing of the bottling company. Following a careful, two-year environmental impact study, Babbitt's announcement resolves all their concerns.

"This is not a reflection on mining companies, but on the values that people in the region have chosen to uphold," said Babbitt. "These are the waters that Daniel Boone once drank, they are the source of health and economic growth. Our decision protects local property rights and lets the community pass on to their children the beauty and natural integrity of this incredible watershed."

Babbitt tours the region at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 1996. At 12:15 he hikes to the event site from the Cumberland Gap Visitor Center (US 25E South, Middlesboro, KY), where he will be available to the media; one-on-one interviews at 12:45. -DOI-