4:15 p.m.
Note: pictures are on the way.
PETTUS, W.Va.–A heavy sediment spill is ongoing at the mouth of the Little Marsh Fork in the Coal River Valley, coming from Massey Energy’s subsidiary Marfork Mining Co. Marfork’s operations include several deep mines, the Brushy Fork Sludge Impoundment and the Bee Tree Surface Mine.
Mathew Louis-Rosenberg of the Sludge Safety Project called it in to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Spill Hotline.
Recall last month that a spill into the Gauley River was called in, and continued well past DEP’s visual confirmation of the spill. DEP changed the reasoning a few times, but eventually conceded that in fact, Appalachian Fuels was responsible for two water violations (WVDEP: here and here) from the pond that was shown in our posts about that spill, here and here.
Louis-Rosenberg spoke with Keith Porterfield of the DEP, “He said he’s going to try to make it out there tonight but it depends on road conditions.”
The only thing above the mouth of the Little Marsh Fork are Massey-controlled mining operations and roads, such as the Bee Tree Surface Mine, all surrounded by forested mountain.
“If it’s from Bee Tree then their sediment ditches aren’t working and they’re in violation of their permit,” Coal River Mountain Watch’s Vernon Haltom said. “DEP has let Massey violate with impunity for so long that we have no confidence that they will take any effective action to protect our streams and communities.”
The Sierra Club, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Coal River Mountain Watch and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy gave Massey a 60-day notice in January of their intent to sue, alleging the company’s water violations increased after it settled a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“This just goes to show that the many people around here who’re concerned with Massey’s dangerous operations were correct in being concerned about the people who live downstream or near Massey’s operations,” Coal River Mountain Watch’s Judy Bonds said. “It also shows that the tree sitters were right in their concerns.”
What can we do? Call someone?
Has anyone ever call the inspector general for the EPA? I found this information on the website….
Inspector General Hotline
1-888-546-8740, 202-566-2476 (Washington, DC Area Local), 202-566-2549 (fax)
email: Mail Form
The Inspector General Hotline was established to receive and control complaints alleging fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement within the Environmental Protection Agency.
I’m sure our local DEP reps are being rewarded for their lack of concern.
Maybe a call in to this number like we called the Gov’s office and the President.
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/violations.htm
Who do I call to report an oil spill or other environmental emergency that poses a sudden threat to public health?
For emergencies and other sudden threats to public health, such as:
o oil and/or chemical spills,
o radiation emergencies, and
o biological discharges,
call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
otherwise if it is not a sudden threat, use the other link and fill in the appropriate info for environmental violations.
Hello everyone,
While I appreciate greatly everyone’s enthusiasm for taking action on this matter, most of what can realistically be done has been done by local activists here. In West Virginia, the best number to call if you SEE a spill yourself is the Spill Hotline:
1-800-642-3074
While a serious concern, this particular potential violation would probably not qualify as a “sudden threat to public health” or as corruption inside the EPA.
All- the sedimentation is very very bad for streams and it is coming from disturbed land–Beetree.
The sediment fills in the streams and increases downstream flooding. the cumulative effect of all the strip mining on Coal River is going to wipe the lower end of Whitesville and Sylvester off the map.
Sediment loading is on of the major reasons that the Big Coal River was on the list of 10 Most Endangered Rivers in America list back in early 200-’s and because there was no clear plan to stop it.
If you have run off out of deep mines you should test it with a conductivity meter. I bet its hot.