NO DREDGE IN SPRINGDALE PIT!

http://www.ahs.dep.state.pa.us/newsreleases/default.asp?ID=4275

N E W S R E L E A S E COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/18/2006

CONTACT:
Tom Rathbun
Phone: (717) 787-1323

LC&N TELLS DEP IT NO LONGER INTENDS TO USE DREDGE IN RECLAMATION OF SPRINGDALE PIT
Request Has No Affect on Statewide General Permit Allowing Beneficial Use of Dredged Materials in Mine Reclamation

HARRISBURG — Coaldale Energy LLC, which assumed responsibilities for Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co. in April, has informed the Department of Environmental Protection that it no longer intends to pursue the use of dredged materials in the reclamation of the Springdale Pit in Tamaqua, Schuylkill County.

In a letter submitted to the department Tuesday, the company stated it is not seeking reauthorization in its pending permit renewal of special conditions that allow the beneficial use of a mixture of dredged sediment, coal ash, cement kiln dust and lime kiln dust.

The company’s decision to forgo the use of dredge has no implication for the general permit that the department issued in March 2004 in association with the use of a mixture of dredge and other materials for mine reclamation in Pennsylvania.

DEP approved amendments to LC&N’s surface mining permit in January 2005 to allow the beneficial use of dredged sediment and other materials in the reclamation project. No dredge material has been placed on site to date.

For more information on mining in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s Web site, www.depweb.state.pa.us, Keyword: “Active Mining Operations.”

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2006