This article originally provided by The Logan Banner

June 19, 2006

Blair Mountain permits trial cancelled

HUNTINGTON
AP

A federal judge has canceled a trial that could force the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct far more detailed reviews before issuing permits for mountain removal mines.

The case was scheduled to begin next week, but U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers called off the trial Wednesday. Chambers acted after the Corps of Engineers suspended four mining permits at issue in the case for more review.

The agency has not elaborated, nor explained how re-examining the permits might affect other coal mining permit applications.

Chambers ordered the corps to report back on the review every 30 days.

In the case, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and other groups have sued to stop permits for four proposed Massey Energy Co. mines near historic Blair Mountain in Logan County, in Boone County and along the Kanawha-Raleigh county line.

But the groups hope the decision forces the Corps of Engineers to draft environmental impact statements for all new mining permit applications.