State Environment Dept. Fines Mountain Mining Comp. Again
Member Center:
January 30, 2004
CHATTANOOGA (AP) -- The state has fined a mining company over stream pollution in Campbell County for a second time.
The Environment and Conservation Department notified the Robert Clear Coal Company of LaFollette this week it had violated its water quality permit at Dan Branch.
The fine is $5,250.
The company was served with a lesser violation notice in December 2003 over the condition of the creek.
The department also threatened nearly $10,000 more in penalties if the condition of the stream that flows from the coal mining site doesn't improve.
Conservationists said they warned the state months ago that the operation would cause problems.
The company is mining Zeb Mountain, using the "cross-ridge" technique. The top of the mountain is removed to mine a coal seam. The mountaintop is then supposed to be returned to its original shape.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Comments Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
