Members of the Sludge Safety Project have formed a citizens committee and continue to meet regularly with the DEP regarding its study of the underground injection of coal prep plant waste.

This study was mandated by the WV state Legislature after SSP and our allies lobbied every Tuesday morning during the 2008 legislative session.

During our most recent meeting with the DEP, SSP members who live in the coalfields stressed the importance of having independent scientists or at least third party observers on site to see where and when the samples are taken from processing plants and sludge injection sites.

The citizens committee has made some headway in collaborating with the DEP, including obtaining split samples from the sites and having one site of SSPs choosing included in the study. SSP chose a site at Cabin Creek, Kanawha Co.

While it is clear that some officials in the DEP are working hard to make this a legitimate and detailed study, it seems their hands are tied by other officials. The DEP continues to claim it does not have the authority to allow third party observers or independent scientists to take part in sampling for the study.

Legislators had asked DEP Secretary Stephanie Timmermyer if the DEP needed more time for the study, but she said DEP could do the study in a year. Here we are, one year later, and two sites have been studied.

Currently, SSP is strategizing as to its long term plans. Call Patricia Feeney at 235-2618 or e-mail patricia@sludgesafety.org for more information.