The peak of mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia occurred in 2000, leading to significant environmental degradation as entire mountaintops were blasted away to access coal seams. This practice buried streams and fragmented forests, causing irreversible damage to ecosystems and local communities. The controversy surrounding mountaintop removal has sparked debates about energy production, environmental justice, and the long-term sustainability of fossil fuel extraction.

The peak of Appalachian mountaintop removal in 2000 fueled protest poetry that addressed the environmental devastation of scarred mountains and buried waters. Poets like Ron Rash highlighted the cultural and ecological consequences of such practices. Rash's poetry often reflects a deep connection to the Appalachian landscape, emphasizing the need for environmental stewardship.