This article originally published in The State Journal

October 5, 2006

Mountaintop Removal Lawsuit Continues in Huntington

Ruling could impact mines' finances; production

Story by Beth Gorczyca Email | Bio

A federal trial over four mountaintop removal mining permits continued Thursday in Huntington.

Three environmental groups are suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for allegedly not investigating the impact of valley fills at four southern West Virginia mines on wildlife, people and the environment.

Valley fills are created when rock and rubble covering coal seams is removed and placed in nearby ravines. Environmental groups allege the practice chokes waterways. They are calling on the the corps to conduct more detailed studies on the fills' effects.

But a corps official testified today the agency doesn't have the staff or money to do that type of analysis. He also said the extra studies would add several years to the permitting process.

The outcome of this trial could have a huge impact on the state. The mines mentioned in the suit employ 600 people earning an average of $60,000 dollars a year. The mines also could produce 40 millions tons of coal; about one-fourth of the total coal produced in the state.