The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 27 PA Bulletin announcing an August 28 hearing on the NPDES Water Quality permit application for the 1,452 acre expansion of the underground LCT Energy Rustic Ridge Ridge #1 Metallurgical Coal Mine in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County and Saltlick Township, Fayette County.  (PA Bulletin, page 4401- 4402)

The hearing was requested by the Mountain Watershed Association.

DEP will hold the hearing at St. Raymond of the Mountains Parish, 170 School House Lane in Donegal, Westmoreland County starting at 6:00 p.m.

Individuals wishing to register to testify at the hearing must contact Lauren Camarda by email to: lcamarda@pa.gov or by calling 412-442-4203 at least 24 hours before the hearing.

Individuals providing testimony are re- quested to submit a written copy of their verbal testimony by e-mail to Lori Jenkins, lorjenkins@pa.gov,  after providing testimony at the hearing.

Written comments will be accepted until close of business on September 2, 2024.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for instructions on how to review the permit application and submit comments.   (PA Bulletin, page 4401- 4402)

Visit DEP’s Rustic Ridge #1 Coal Mine webpage for more information on the proposal.

Unsuitable For Mining Petition

On January 22, 2024, the Mountain Watershed Association submitted a petition to declare almost 11,000 acres unsuitable for surface coal mining in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County.  Read more here.

On February 23, 2024, DEP rejected the petition saying, “The Department has found that the MWA’s petition lacks sufficient allegations of facts and supporting evidence to establish that the petition area is unsuitable for all or certain types of surface mining operations.”

DEP declared the petition “frivolous.”  Read more here.

On March 22, the Association appealed DEP’s rejection of the petition to the Environmental Hearing Board which is now considering the appeal.  [Search EHB Docket # 2024077]

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Report Emergencies, Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

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NewsClips:

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-- Penn State Extension - Ag Conservation Currents: Ag Progress Days; Livestock Watering; Grass Riparian Buffers; REAP Application Period Opens; ABCs Of Agricultural Conservation

-- Penn State Extension - Woods & Wildlife News: Integrated Forest Management; Invasion Ecology; Preventing Feral Hog Invasions; Woodland Steward Series; Forest Farming - Ginseng

-- Lehigh County-based Wildlands Conservancy Highlights Upcoming Programs: Stream Restoration; Volunteer Opportunities; Wine & Dine Dinner; Student American Chestnut Project

-- Delaware RiverKeeper July 26 RiverWatch Video Report

[Posted: July 26, 2024]

7/29/2024