October 26, 1997

Contact: Graduate Student Senator Chad Kister: 614-594-7287 or chad@pageville.com

Graduate Senate opposes mining near Dysart

 The Ohio University Graduate Student Senate passed a strong
resolution opposing the pending permit #7 that would allow mining under
the watershed of Dysart Woods with overwhelming support at tonight's
meeting in Baker Center.

 Environmental Studies Graduate Student Senator Chad Kister
sponsored the resolution to save Dysart Woods that passed with a massive
19 to 2 majority.

The resolution states,

 "Let it be resolved that Graduate Student Senate opposes Ohio
Valley Coal Co. permit #D0360-7, and that it opposes any future proposal
to mine beneath the forest itself.
Let it further be resolved that:

 Graduate Student Senate requests that the Ohio Division of Mines
and Reclamations deny permit #D0360-7 that would allow mining under the
watershed of Dysart Woods by Ohio Valley Coal Co.
Let it further be resolved that:

 Graduate Student Senate requests that the Ohio University
administration oppose the Ohio Valley Coal Co. permit #D0360-7 by any and
all legal means possible, as well as future applications to mine beneath
Dysart Woods.

Let it further be resolved that:

 Graduate Student Senate requests that the Ohio University
Administration do everything in its power to hasten the filing of a land
unsuitable for mining petition to protect the watershed buffer zone of
Dysart Woods."

 "This is the final piece of a massive orchestra of support for
protecting Dysart Woods from all sectors of Ohio University," said Kister.
"The top OU administration has been campaigning for the protection Dysart
Woods.  Student Senate passed a resolution with unanimous support.
Faculty Senate voted 97 percent to suspend their rules and pass a motion
to protect the ancient forest.  Now Graduate Student Senate has voted
overwhelmingly for the strongest resolution yet in the defense of Dysart
Woods.  I encourage everyone to attend the upcoming rally, Saturday, Nov.
8 at  3 p.m. at the Ohio Division of Mines and Reclamations headquarters
in Columbus, 1855 Fountain Square Court Building H (off Morris Rd. just
passed Northland Shopping Center)."