The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

February 26, 2009

Marfork permit foes fail to show for public hearing

By Jackie Ayres

Individuals who allege they may be adversely affected by the re-issuance of a Marfork Coal Co. permit requested a public hearing with the state Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday night — and no one showed up.

The preparation plant, located 2 miles from Whitesville, is required to have its permit renewed every five years.

A small group of coal miners and a spokesman from Marfork came to the hearing at Liberty High School to address the DEP on why they feel the permit should be reissued.

“In 2008, the total labor expenses were approximately $75 to $80 million,” said Paul McCombs, chief engineer for Marfork.

“Marfork Coal strives to be a good corporate citizen and a good neighbor. The approval of this permit renewal will continue to provide employment for our members who are involved in local communities in various degrees such as volunteer firefighting, little league coaches and other community associations. We feel we are in compliance with all regulations concurrent with this permit renewal,” McCombs said.

According to McCombs, the processing plant employs 71 people and the coal that is processed at the facility is processed in deep mines that employ nearly 800.

“These deep mines is what Coal River Mountain Watch has indicated that they do not have a problem with — and these are the folks that we’re dealing with today,” McCombs said of the individuals who requested the hearing but were not in attendance.

The DEP’s Division of Mining and Reclamation advertised the informal hearing on Feb. 11, and has since received several complaints from citizens that the location they selected for the hearing was too far for them to travel.

A continuation hearing has been rescheduled to ensure that all parties are able to make their concerns known, a DEP spokesman said.

The continuation hearing will take place at the Raleigh-Boone Technology Center (the former Pettus Elementary School) at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5.

The DEP will announce whether the permit will be renewed within 30 days of the hearing.

The permit was originally granted in 1994.

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com

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