On March 3, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has approved Allegheny Mineral Corporation’s Surface Mine Permit No. 37160301, Mine 57, application for a large limestone mining permit in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County.

The permit will allow Allegheny Mineral Corporation to surface mine 252 acres of Vanport Limestone, with incidental coal removal of 252 acres of Lower Kittanning coal, 67 acres of Middle Kittanning coal, and 12 acres of Upper Kittanning coal.

The permit includes six stream encroachments, a wetland encroachment, and a road variance for S.R. 2028, Fairview School Road.

DEP held an informal public conference on July 30, 2019, to receive comments and questions about the permit application.

“DEP gave careful consideration to the comments received from residents and Slippery Rock Township officials regarding the permit,” said DEP Director of District Mining Operations Daniel Sammarco.

The review of the application included an assessment of the potential environmental impacts.

The United States Fish and Wildlife service was asked to examine the effects of the permit on the Indiana and northern long-eared bat populations in the proposed permit area.

Based on the amount of tree removal and the location of the project in relation to the bat’s hibernacula, the USFWS determined the effects to Indiana bats will be insignificant or discountable, and there will be no direct adverse effects to northern long-eared bats as long as tree removal occurs only between November 15 and March 31.

Based on the above data, DEP approved issuance of the permit.

A copy of Allegheny Mineral Corporation’s permit can be viewed at the Lawrence County Conservation District, 430 Court Street, New Castle, PA 16101 or the DEP’s Knox District Office, located at the White Memorial Building, 310 Best Avenue, Knox PA 16232.

Those wishing to make an appointment to view the documents at the Knox District Office can do so by calling 814-797-1191 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Media questions should be directed to Tom Decker, DEP Northwest Regional Office, by calling 814-332-6615 or send email to: thomadecke@pa.gov.

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[Posted: March 3, 2020]

3/9/2020