Large numbers of Franklin County residents are expected to appear at this Thursday’s Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s hearing to voice their concerns about Sugar Camp Energy’s proposed mine. Issues related to the proposed underground mine range from insufficient mitigation for loss of streams and wetlands to negative impacts to water quality. We need your help to let IEPA know they cannot grant a permit for this mine unless these issues are addressed as required by the Clean Water Act.

IEPA is accepting comments until September 8, 2009 regarding granting a Section 401 water certification permit for the approximately 1,264 acre mine. A 401 certification cannot be granted if the project will cause or contribute to a violation of Illinois water quality standards. Plans for the Sugar Camp mine include impounding two tributaries which run through the site for the purpose of creating a treatment pond.

The mine will directly impact thirteen wetlands on the project site, with 6.51 acres of emergent wetlands and 1.01 acres of forested wetlands being lost. In addition 5,416 linear feet of intermittent streams will be lost. The proposed Sugar Camp mine will use the longwall method of mining, where coal is mined from long rectangular areas, or “panels” underneath the surface. As a result of clearing out coal, rock and soil from the panels, land subsidence, or sinking, occurs above the panels. These alterations in the land’s surface can impact stream drainage and water quality.

The August 6th IEPA hearing begins at 6:00 pm at the Franklin County Extension Building, 1212 Route 14 W, in Benton, Illinois. For more details about the issues related to the Sugar Camp mine click here. For more information, email csmith@prairierivers.org.