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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Supported by State, Un-wanted Coal Mine Moves Forward |
Current rating: 0 |
by Peter Miller
Email: peterm (nospam) shout.net (unverified!) |
12 Apr 2001
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World's largest coal mine prepares to open non-union mine in open and admitted violation of environmental laws, and against the wishes of area residents (but with support of Governor George Ryan), thanks to loophole for coal mines. |
A subsidiary of Peabody coal company is building a mine in Eastern Illinois that they admit violates Illinois water quality standards. The Illinois EPA and the Illinois Pollution Control Board can do nothing about it. Why? Illinois law exempts coal mining operations from water quality standards.
The Vermillion Grove Coal Mine, run by a Peabody subsidiary called Black Beauty, is located upstream of Georgetown, Illinois. Despite widespread community opposition which included a petition signed by over 500 area residents and a September 2000 public hearing attended by 200 mine opponents, Illinois EPA decided that the economic benefits of the mine outweigh the environmental and social costs.
In Summer, 2000 Governor Ryan awarded a state grant of $700,000 to Black Beauty Coal to extract coal resources in the immediate area. All state agencies appear to be strong backers of this unpopular mine.
The public first learned about the Vermillion Grove Mine last year, and they began working against it immediately. The mine will be near the Little Vermillion River, popular with sport fishers and outdoorspeople. Three state endangered species live in the Little Vermillion River, including the Little Spectaclecase Mussel, the Slippershell Mussel, and the Bigeye Shiner, all listed under the Illinois endangered species act. Severe water quality degradation caused by sulfates, chlorides, manganese, iron, and possibly acid mine drainage are expected from the operation. All are (under)regulated pollutants, but not in the case of coal mines, thanks to a loophole created by and for coal mining companies. The mine will also be operated by non-union workers.
Despite community efforts to stop the mine, on December 21, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources issued a permit that allowed Black Beauty to begin constructing the mine and discharging water pollution. By January, bulldozers had arrived and construction was underway. Today, a rail line runs into the site, the woods have been cleared, mine shafts are being dug, and coal is expected to be mined later this year.
Environmental organizations haven't given up efforts to save the Little Vermillion River, but the world's largest coal corporation--Peabody--isn't backing down. Prairie Rivers Network is appealing the water pollution permit before the Illinois Pollution Control Board, and they're appealing the mining permit through an administrative hearing by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Rob Moore, Executive Director of Prairie Rivers Network says, "If the State can allow this type of activity on one of the highest quality streams in Illinois, they can allow this kind of activity in anybody's back yard."
www.prairierivers.org |
See also:
www.prairierivers.org
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