The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 2 PA Bulletin of a February 3 public hearing on the Soberdash Mining Reclamation Project in South Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County starting at 10:00 a.m.. (PA Bulletin, page 79).

Robindale Energy Services, Inc. has applied for an NPDES General Permit for a Government Financed Construction Contract to reclaim abandoned mine land in the township.

A Government Financed Construction Contract is a contract between a reclamation contractor and DEP to reclaim abandoned mine lands.

Reclamation projects that involve coal removal as a necessary and incidental consequence of the reclamation may be exempt from the permitting requirements of the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act. Read more here.

This proposed GFCC 65-19-01 consists of reclamation of abandoned mine land, including screening approximately 350,000 tons of coal refuse currently covering 12 acres, transporting an estimated 297,500 tons of refuse from the site, and reclamation of 17 acres of land to a vegetated level pad with soiled out-slopes for industrial land use.

Operational controls and non-discharging erosion and sedimentation controls requested in the NPDES General Permit are proposed to minimize impact to Sewickley Creek from reclamation activities.

Virtual Hearing

Individuals who wish to observe or speak at the virtual public meeting must contact DEP Community Relations Coordinator Lauren Fraley at lfraley@pa.gov or 412-442-4203 a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the event to reserve a time to ask questions.

Individuals who register for the event will receive the link and instructions on how to join via email or phone. Video demonstrations and screen sharing will not be permitted.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information (PA Bulletin, page 79).

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[Posted: December 31, 2020]

1/4/2021