In July, Prairie Rivers Network alerted you to plans by Black Beauty Coal to open an underground mine along the Little Vermilion River near Georgetown. Here’s an update on activities surrounding the mine and steps you can take to help protect the river.As you know, the proposed mine threatens one of Illinois’ finest streams:

  • Water discharged from the 440 acre site will contain sediments, metals, and acid mine drainage.
  • The discharge will threaten Georgetown’s and Olivet’s drinking water.
  • Carl Flierman’s River Nature Preserve is a short distance downstream.
  • The river is listed on the state’s Natural Areas Inventory, and is home to three state endangered species — the slippershell mussel, little spectaclecase mussel, and bigeye shiner — and the riparian corridor is home to one federally listed species, the Indiana bat.

Here’s what happened since we alerted you about the mine: IDNR’s Office of Mines and Minerals has reviewed Black Beauty’s application for a mining permit, “public noticed” the permit and held a hearing. But their review was inadequate and the agency’s actions premature. The Office of Mines and Minerals did not consider the mine’s potential to impact water quality and endangered species in the river, or consult with experts at IDNR until after the permit was public noticed and Prairie Rivers Network called attention to the Agency’s failure to research the issues. Now, IDNR must decide whether to issue the permit despite the shoddy “review” by its own employees in the Office of Mines and Minerals.In addition to a mining permit from IDNR, Black Beauty must get a water pollution permit from IEPA. This permit regulates the quality of stormwater from sediment ponds, spoils piles, and the mine in general. Illinois EPA “public noticed” the water pollution permit before IDNR’s decision was finalized — a highly unusual action. The agency also failed to consult with IDNR’s endangered species experts before public noticing the permit.

Prairie Rivers Network believes that citizens who value the Little Vermilion — or any Illinois river — should be outraged by these agencies’ failure to follow rules intended to protect our natural resources. Neither agency has adequately considered the mine’s potential impact on the river, Carl Flierman’s River Nature Preserve, or Georgetown’s water supply.

Concerned Citizens for a Quality Environment (CCQE), a group formed to oppose the mine, has been raising awareness and visibility among local residents and decision makers. They have been successful in petition, letter writing, and fundraising drives. Prairie Rivers Network is assisting CCQE in their efforts.

What you can you do to help:

  • Attend a public hearing on the mine’s water pollution permit, scheduled by the IEPA at 5:00 PM, September 27th at the Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School, 500 W. Mulberry Street, Georgetown. Tell agency officials you want them to reject the permits and protect the Little Vermilion.
  • Write to the Governor’s office, Illinois EPA, Illinois DNR, and the Nature Preserves Commission requesting that they deny the permits for Black Beauty Coal. Let them know your disappointment in the shoddy process the agencies have followed and your concerns about the safety of the Little Vermilion River.

Their addresses:

Gov. George Ryan
207 Statehouse
Springfield, IL 62706
Illinois EPA
PO Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794
Illinois DNR
524 S. Second St.
Springfield, IL 62701
Nature Preserves Commission
524 S. Second Street
Springfield, IL 62701

Get involved TODAY.

Help protect the Little Vermilion for ourselves and for generations to come.

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