Coal slurry and waste currently filling a Greene County valley
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection held an informal public conference last Tuesday July 2 concerning the Consol Bailey Mine longwall expansion. In Richhill and Aleppo Townships, 2,510 acres will be longwall mined. According to the operator, there are no proposed stream impacts that will require stream mitigation. Few people attended due to the 1-3 p.m. meeting time on a Tuesday, but we collected useful information concerning the expansion if you are concerned or have questions.
Also, as a reminder, there is an upcoming public hearing for the pending Coal Refuse Disposal Area (CRDA) No. 7 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) water permit. It will take place Wednesday, July 17, 2019 from 1-3 P.M. at the Morris Township Community Center located at 1713 Browns Creek Road, Graysville, PA 15337. Consol Energy is seeking the permit to fill in another valley that will impact 900 acres and fill small headwater streams that are valuable components of downstream ecosystems. The proposed discharges associated with this valley fill further threaten those ecosystems. The Center for Coalfield Justice will be preparing a technical review and comments and can help residents with providing their comments to DEP as well.
If you have any questions, comments, or need help preparing comments please contact Nick at nick@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org or 724-229-3550 extension 104.
