CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Environmental groups and concerned citizens living in coal communities sat down with state and national leaders Monday to discuss their concerns with surface mining.

They were joined by a famous face, Cross Lanes native and country singer, Kathy Mattea.

The environmental groups want the practice of mountain top removal mining stopped.

But leaders say there must be a balance.

Representative Shelley Moore Capito says the issue can be addressed through proper use of laws already on the books and through the regulatory agencies.

One thing both sides agree on, the discussion should be civil.

Coal supporters and opponents have held several rallies which have often become shouting matches.

Mattea says no one should be afraid to speak their mind and she says they made a "huge step" toward that goal at the meeting.

But that doesn't mean the protests, which often lead to arrests for trespassing, are going to stop.

"If we choose to trespass to make a point, that's not violence," Bo Webb with Coal River Mountain Watch says.

A meeting with the same political leaders was held back in November with coal industry executives. The environmental groups protested their exclusion from that meeting. November's meeting was to mainly address permits being held up by the Environmental Protection Agency due to water quality concerns.