BRUSH VALLEY — Although a final decision on two Rosebud Mining Co. applications is pending. mining near Yellowstone Creek State Park is still “several months away,” the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said Wednesday (Aug. 3) closed the deadline for written comments on Rosebud’s proposal to expand two coal plants located near Yellowstone State Park Scream.
“We’re still early in the review process,” said Sam Faith, DEP’s area mining manager for the California District Mining Office in Washington County.
However, DEP is still seeking comments until next week, which can be emailed to Troy Williams, environmental manager, at troawillia@pa.gov or by mail to the California office, 25 Technology Drive, Coal Center, PA 15423.
Faith and Williams were on hand along with other DEP officials from the Northwest Regional Office in Meadville, which includes Indiana County, and the Cambria District Mining Office in Ebensburg.
After about 60 participants gathered at the Brush Valley Volunteer Fire Co. hall on July 20, DEP already has some work to do to carry out those plans.
One is “the addition of an additional 2,664.3 underground acres and (a) Subsidence Control Plan Area to the existing Brush Valley Underground Mine Complex, which would expand the mine complex to 9,335 acres underground and (to) the SCPA.”
Another is to “add an additional 1,158.2 underground acres and (an) SCPA to the existing Barrett Underground Mine, which will expand the mine complex to 4,740.6 underground acres and (an) SCPA.”
Proposed modifications for the Brush Valley mine in Central Township include expanding operations at the Lower Kittanning coal seam and adding the Upper Kittanning coal seam, according to the DEP.
“Overburden ranges from approximately 200 to 300 feet for the Lower Kittanning coal seam and approximately 300 to 400 feet for the Upper Kittanning coal seam,” John St. Clair, manager of Rosebud, wrote in the application for the Brush Valley complex. has an estimated service life of about 20 years.
Regarding the Barrett Mine in Buffington Township, St. Clair wrote that “the depth of cover ranges from approximately 317 to 570 feet for the Lower Kittanning coal seam.” Its estimated service life is about 20 years.
Despite St. Clair and Rosebud President Jim Barker’s assurances at the fire hall that the prospect of expanded mining would not pose a “99.9 percent” problem to Yellow Creek or its lake, a dozen speakers from the Indiana area, Homer- The city, Penn Run and Johnstown issued statements covering economic and environmental concerns.
“Allowing this company to make a short-term financial gain for itself with potentially irreversible damage to this popular recreation area would be a tragic and preventable mistake,” former Indiana councilwoman Sarah Stewart testified on behalf of herself and her husband, Todd Thompson.
Barker and St. Clair argued that if a major event were to occur that affected the lake or the waterways that drain into the lake, it would cost “millions and millions” of dollars.
“We want no part of it,” Barker said.
The two facilities are among Rosebud’s 14 operations in Pennsylvania and Ohio, which provide low-, medium- and high-volatility metallurgical and thermal coal.
Homer City District Manager Rob Naimick, acting as the Central Indiana District Water Authority manager, said CICWA has 2,200 residential, agricultural and commercial faucets or services in a coverage area that extends south of White City. along with the city of Homer and the township of Center.
“Our average daily usage is approximately 700,000 gallons,” Naimick said. “Our only source of water is Yellow Creek.”
The CICWA manager said his agency has enough storage space for about 36 hours in the event of a contamination or disaster in or around the Yellow Creek area.
“A prevention plan needs to be in place before any mining takes place in this area,” said Naimick, who suggested larger pumps at the Route 119 pump station, a connection to Pennsylvania American Water or a pipeline from Two Lick Creek to of CICWA water. plant. However, he added, “any drastic changes to our system should not come at our expense or at the expense of our customers.”
Many in attendance have homes or interests in the Yellow Creek area, including Desiree and Mason Bepler, who own Yellow Creek Rental and Supply LLC and do not support mining that could threaten their business or the health of the lake. .
“This business is 50 percent of our family’s income,” Desiree Bepler said. “We have worked very hard over the past four years to provide a place for local families to come and participate in aquatic recreation.”
Rosebud initially sought a permit to mine at Jallow Creek State Park, five miles from the fire hall, but Barker said his company did not receive a lease in the park.
Naimick also questioned whether the Homer City Generating Station had been notified of the possibility of nearby mining.
“If the quality and quantity of Yellow Creek changes, the power plant will be in jeopardy,” Naimick said.
Company officials said output from the Barrett mine is sent to a washing plant in Elderton and then to a United States steel mill in Clairton, Allegheny County.
Some of the Brush Valley coal is also sent to Clairton, while other coal is sent to Clymer and then to Baltimore, Maryland.
https://www.indianagazette.com/news/local/deadline-approaches-for-comments-about-rosebud-mining-applications/article_0ffcd21e-bdab-520e-9a1b-b0af7c992b28.html
