Interview with John Webb, Jim Toliver, and Evan Smith, February 15, 2007

Interview Summary

This interview with environmentalists John Webb, Jim Toliver, and Evan Smith begins with an overview of the interviewees' job titles. It then moves on to Toliver discussing when and where he was born and where he currently lives. He then discusses the problem of poor water quality in Letcher County (Ky.) and how that led him to become passionate about environmental causes. Next, Toliver talks about how mining and logging affects the environment in Letcher County (Ky.). Toliver and Smith then talk about how the economy affects the environment. Toliver also recalls drinking well water at a coal camp he was visiting while his physician father visited patients, and how the water quality at the camps differed from the city water that was normally available to him. Finally, Webb talks about improvements that have been made to the water quality in Letcher County (Ky.) and how a growing awareness of environmental issues has led people to become more responsible about water quality. Finally, Toliver gives suggestions that would improve water quality in the county further.

Interview Keyword

Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment (PRIDE) Letcher County (Ky.) Coal mines and mining Judges Water quality Water pollution Water contamination

Interview LC Subject

Environmentalism Environmentalism--History Environmentalism--United States Environmentalism--United States--History Environmentalists Water conservation Coal mines and mining--Waste disposal Coal mines and mining--Kentucky Water--Pollution Pollution--Law and legislation Water quality Letcher County (Ky.)

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.