A new poll [PDF] released today reveals that people in the heart of America's coal country resoundingly disapprove of mountaintop-removal mining. A strong majority of Appalachians told pollsters they oppose the practice -- 57 percent to 20 percent. Opposition is strong in all four states where the polling took place -- West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia -- and across all education levels and political affiliations, including among those who identify as Republicans or Tea Partiers.  Appalachians also overwhelmingly support stronger, not weaker, clean water protections for their streams, rivers, and lakes. Fully 75 percent of Republican voters and 68 …