On August 2, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will hold an August 26  hearing to take testimony from the public on a mining permit application and draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the proposed new Maggie Lynn underground limestone mine in Deemston Borough, Washington County.

The hearing will take place on Monday, August 26, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the East Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company, 503 Front Street, Fredericktown, PA 15333.

Neiswonger Construction, Inc. has applied for a large non-coal mining permit [No. 63192001] and water discharge permit [PA0278360] from DEP.

If approved, the underground mine permit would include and replace the existing Maggie Lynn Quarry surface mining permit [No. 63100401] and its associated individual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit [PA0252034], which were originally issued October 4, 2012.

The draft permit also incorporates a discharge from the adjacent PA Coal Reclamation NPDES No. PA0615129 (Mining permit no. 63813210). 

The operation would discharge treated water, after settling of sediment, into an unnamed tributary to Tenmile Creek and into Tenmile Creek, which is a trout-stocked fishery within the Monongahela River Watershed.

The draft effluent limits for the NPDES permit, which authorizes the discharges, are in the August 3, 2024, edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.  (PA Bulletin, page 4519)

Environmental Justice Area

The proposed location of this mine is within a half mile of East Bethlehem Township, which is an environmental justice (EJ) area.

DEP engages in enhanced public outreach, which included a public meeting held in December 2023.

DEP’s updated Environmental Justice policy directs how DEP’s inspection, compliance, and enforcement efforts can better include criteria and concerns of Pennsylvania communities most at risk from pollution and other environmental impacts.

Furthermore, the policy outlines the ways in which DEP plans to increase outreach across Pennsylvania and build long-lasting relationships with communities impacted by environmental challenges.

Permit Available Online

The entire application, draft NPDES permit, fact sheet explaining the development of the permit, correspondence, and hearing information are available for review electronically through DEP’s community information webpage for this project.

Copies of the draft NPDES permit and associated documents are also on file for public review by appointment at the Department of Environmental Protection, District Mining Operations, 131 Broadview Road, New Stanton, PA 15672, Phone: 724-925-5500.

Hearing Testimony

Members of the public will have the opportunity to present up to three minutes of oral testimony relevant to the draft permit. Time permitting, those who did not register in advance will be given the opportunity to testify.

The hearing may conclude earlier if all testifiers in attendance have spoken prior to the designated end time.

Those wishing to register for the public hearing must contact Emily Green, Southwest Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator, by email at emgreen@pa.gov  or by calling 412-442-4042 at least 24 hours before the hearing.

DEP requests that organizations designate one spokesperson to present testimony on their behalf. Individuals should provide a copy of their testimony and exhibits for submission to DEP at the hearing or email it afterward to the New Stanton District Mining Office at RA-EPNEWSTANTON@pa.gov  by September 2, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

Submitted materials are not limited in length and must include the name, address, and phone number of the person submitting them. DEP will equally consider all comments, whether delivered orally during the hearing or submitted in writing.

Individuals wishing to attend who require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodations to participate should contact Lauren Camarda. The Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service is available by calling 1-800-654-5984 (TTD users) or 1-800-654-5988 (voice users) and request that the call be relayed to Lauren Camarda at 412-442-4203.

Click Here for a copy of the complete announcement.

Visit DEP’s Maggie Lynn Underground Mine webpage for more information.

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.

[Posted: August 2, 2024]

8/5/2024