West Mahanoy supervisors discuss mining firm’s request to mine near water main serving Lost Creek, Wm. Penn
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Mining activities are seen from Raven Run Road on June 14, 2024. Keystone Anthracite is asking for regulator approval to bring the mining activity as close to the road as possible.
SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS – West Mahanoy Township supervisors expressed concern Tuesday night regarding a mining company’s request to mine near the water main that serves all of William Penn and Lost Creek.
The Sentinel broke the story Friday regarding Keystone Anthracite’s request to amend their mining permit for their Packer 2/3 operation between Brownsville and Lost Creek #2.
The Girardville-based company is asking for PADEP approval to mine in close proximity to Raven Run Road, a PPL power line, and an Aqua Pennsylvania water main.
For the water main, they want to blast within 200 feet of it, and excavate within about 85 feet of it. General mining activities are proposed within 50 feet.
West Mahanoy Township Supervisors Chairman Paul “Pepper” Martin said he was “on the phone all day” Tuesday, contacting state officials about the proposal.
“What I’m trying to work on is to get some time of meeting with [PADEP] and the people,” Martin said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
He said the township plans to send a letter regarding their concerns.
“That big break down there was apparently by them and their mining,” Martin said. “I think we’re going to send our own concern about it, because that water line supplies William Penn, Lost Creek, and Connerton.”
“We are trying what we can, that’s the bottom line,” Martin added. “The people need to stand up for themselves, and if we can help, we will.”
In their application to PADEP, Keystone said a stability analysis of Raven Run Road has been provided to PennDOT assuming excavation within 60 feet of the right-of-way.
“To maximize coal extraction, the mine operator would like to advance mining activities as close to the limits of the Right of Way as permitted by PennDOT,” part of the application states.
Maps provided with the application show the area where utility lines are of concern is in the area where Keystone razed several homes in Lost Creek #2.
Excavation in that area severed the line last summer, disrupting water service to all points on the former Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah (MABS) water system west of Shenandoah, except Raven Run.
The map also showed a mining operational area in the permit area including the hairpin corner where Theresa Street and West Coal Street meet, though the application makes no mention of plans to sever the connection between Upper and Lower Brownsville.
Much of Shenandoah is considered an “Environmental Justice Area” by DEP, and certain activities within the designated area and one half mile outside of it are supposed to trigger an enhanced public participation procedure. Those activities are ones that “may lead to significant public concern due to potential impacts on human health and the environment.”
Though a notable portion of the permit area is within that half-mile area, the EJA policy, which often requires a public hearing, has not been invoked.
The public can request that the agency follow its EJA policy for the project by submitting concerns through this form, referring to permit #54080102, the Packer 2/3 Operation.
The application, which DEP lists as a major amendment, is under technical review with a decision expected in September.
Written comments, objections, or a request for an informal conference can be submitted to Michael Kutney, District Mining Manager, at 5 West Laurel Boulevard, Pottsville, by July 7. such comments must include the person’s name, address, telephone number, and a brief statement to the nature of the objection.
Micquelynn Kapuschinsky contributed to this report.
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