Coal company seeks haul road crossing Route 54 in William Penn
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The area where Keystone Anthracite is seeking approval to build a coal haul road which would cross Route 54. The road would cross the highway at the pictured driveway.
WILLIAM PENN – A coal company with mining operations west of Shenandoah is seeking PennDOT permission to install a heavy equipment crossing on Route 54 near the William Penn Fire Company.
Keystone Anthracite applied for a permit for the driveway and crossing in September to serve their mining operation between Brownsville and Lost Creek #2 and mines south of Route 54. That area is also where the company received zoning approval to build a new processing plant.
The crossing, the company said in a letter to West Mahanoy Township Supervisors, would eliminate over-the-road transport of materials.
Per the plans submitted to the township, the haul road would cross Route 54 at the current driveway for the William Penn firehouse.
Keystone is seeking DEP approval to expand their mining operations in the area, specifically in the area of Lost Creek #2, where they purchased and razed much of the village. The company is seeking approval to mine in close proximity to the water main which services most points west of Shenandoah on the former Municipal Authority system, now operated by Aqua Pennsylvania.
Though a notable portion of the permit area is within an “area of concern” per the DEP’s Environmental Justice Area policy, the EJA policy, which often requires a public hearing, has not been invoked.
The application to expand the mining operation, which DEP lists as a major amendment, is under technical review with a decision expected in December.
Keystone requested a letter from the township be sent to PennDOT saying they area aware of Keystone’s intent, have reviewed the plan, and approve or disapprove the project.
Pending approval by the township engineer, township supervisors voted Tuesday night to approve the plans.
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