Over two dozen concerned residents from Allerton, Broadlands, Catlin, Champaign/Urbana, Homer, Longview, Ogden, Sidell and St. Joseph met on January 8th in Homer to discuss Sunrise Coal’s proposed coal mine in Vermilion County. Folks that have opposed this project since the beginning, including members of Stand Up to Coal (SUTC), joined with new faces to learn more about the status of this proposed project, what is at stake if this proposed mine moves forward, and what opportunities still exist to keep the community’s resources intact.
Using a detailed map that will soon be available on the Stand Up to Coal website, Sue Smith of rural Homer acquainted attendees with the boundaries of the proposed mine site and the water resources and tiled farmland that could be affected. Rural residences and nearby schools will be vulnerable to coal dust pollution, and the mine will have a large impact on local communities, given that water will need to be piped from Georgetown and a railroad spur built to transport the coal.
Keith Rohl, longtime community resident and farmer, explained the holes in the mining company’s acquisitions to date and the importance of holding on to mineral and surface rights to protect the area. Residents also learned that many landowners who leased mineral rights also leased their coal bed methane rights, but without a contract for compensation. Traci Barkley from Prairie Rivers Network shared that many pieces are still needed for the mine company to proceed, including additional mineral and surface rights, easements to pipe the water supply from Georgetown, a railroad spur, and at least two permits from regulatory agencies. To date, Sunrise Coal has only applied for one permit and that application is not yet complete. This application must be completed before state regulators can start the formal review process.
Jonathan Ashbrook, who facilitated the meeting on behalf of Stand Up to Coal, closed by noting that SUTC welcomes new members who would like to get involved in protecting the community’s land, water and the health of residents from the devastating impacts of the potential coal mine. To become involved or learn more about the impacts of coal mining, please visit www.standuptocoal.org.
