I hope Al doesn't have them "removed"...
If true...and to avoid a repeat...the Appalachians MUST be leveled. Yes...I know its drastic but I think a government directive is in order. It'll cost $80 Trillion dollars but we can level the Appalachians and ensure we never repeat this episode. The hard part, will be relocation. All of the Appalachian folk will be relocated to the region north of Palm Springs, with a special political district created...and their own two personal senators. They will be known as the displaced Appalachian folk...at least on Wolf Blitzers show.
The plan will take approximately 22 years and require at least 35,000 union employees (preferably the fellows from the Boston Big Dig). We'll need every bulldozer that CAT can manufacturer (24-hour operation to build required).
As for the dirt...I propose that we move it south to New Orleans and proceed to build the 51st and 52nd state....just south of the Mississippi Delta. Once completed...both states will be declared RED states, and we will open the new territory up to folks to move...provided they voice RED feelings.
As for the Appalachian area left after the hills have all been removed...it would make a fine national park and we could just sanction it as the 53rd state which only Park Rangers would be full-time residents.