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EPA CITES B.L.& S. COAL CO. FOR WATER VIOLATIONS AT TWO W.VA. MINES

Release Date: 3/15/2000
Contact Information: David Sternberg (215) 814-5548

David Sternberg, 215-814-5548

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has cited B. L. & S. Coal Co. of Morgantown, W.Va. for discharging polluted stormwater runoff from two surface coal mines to nearby waterways without the required Clean Water Act permits. In separate complaints, EPA seeks a $25,000 penalty for unpermitted discharges at a mine near Rivesville in Marion Co. and a $10,000 penalty for unpermitted discharges from a mine near Booth in Monongalia Co.

Under the Clean Water Act, EPA works with the states to establish standards to protect the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams. States with approved Clean Water Act programs then issue national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permits to water pollution sources with discharge limits that protect these water quality standards.

NPDES permits for both mines expired in 1996. The company did not apply for a reissued permit, despite being ordered to do so by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Both of these surface mines are currently undergoing reclamation and are required to have NPDES permits until that process is completed.

The Monongalia Co. mine discharges contaminated storm water runoff into tributaries of Flaggy Meadows Run and into a tributary of the Monongahela River. The Marion Co. mine discharges contaminated storm water runoff into Parker Run and other tributaries of the Monongahela River.

The company is entitled to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalties.


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