FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009

Permit to Deep Mine in Indian Creek Watershed Sought Again
Citizens Object Because of Potential Impacts to Indian Creek and Surrounding Areas

Melcroft, PA- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 will hold an informal public conference on Amerikohl Mining’s application for the proposed White deep mine in Saltlick Township, Fayette County. 

The permit application has been met with staunch opposition from area residents, community advocates and the Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) because of the potential impacts to water quality and quality of life in the area.

“The Indian Creek watershed has experienced severe degradation as a result of past deep mining practices,” stated Beverly Braverman, Executive Director of the Mountain Watershed Association.  “Our efforts to restore water quality in Indian Creek have been very successful; this proposal could jeopardize all of that success.  The Rand Am deep mine application was denied in 1996 because of potential damage to the watershed.  The hydrology of the area has not changed to make pollution any less probable.”

In 1994, a New Jersey company applied to the then Department of Environmental Resources for a permit to deep mine in the watershed.  The proposal, called the Rand Am mine, was denied because of the high probability of additional discharges.  Amerikohl is now proposing to mine in an overlapping area.

The 125 square mile Indian Creek watershed has over 130 existing discharges from both surface and deep mines.  Under the guidance of a comprehensive plan for restoring the watershed, Mountain Watershed Association has constructed 4 treatment systems to treat some of the worst discharges.  The cost of these projects is well over $5 million, and they are largely funded by tax dollars.  Seven more mine drainage treatment systems are needed.  According to the Comprehensive Plan these 11 systems, when finished, will restore of over 95% of Indian Creek.

“There was a time when Indian Creek was so polluted it could hardly sustain life,” said Krissy Kasserman, Youghiogheny Riverkeeper with MWA.  As a major tributary of the Youghiogheny River, Indian Creek has the ability to impact water quality for miles downstream—after our restoration efforts, it is almost unthinkable that the DEP would consider permitting a deep mine in an area with such a history of polluted discharges.”

“The value of Indian Creek from a recreational standpoint far exceeds its value as a conduit of mine drainage,” stated Lisa Smith, Vice-President of MWA’s Board of Directors.  “For the first time in many decades watershed residents are able to see the recreational value in this stream—we are even exploring options to stock fish native to Indian Creek once again.  If the DEP permits the White Mine it could have irreversible impacts to water quality.”

The informal public conference will be held at Highlands Hall, at the intersection of Route 31 and Route 381/711 (near Sarnelli’s Market) on February 24, 2009 from 12PM to 3PM. 

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