NEWBURG — The State Division of Environmental Protection’s Division of Mining and Reclamation (DMR) is investigating a sulphur smell coming from Raccoon Creek of Three Forks.
That’s according to Terry Fletcher, acting communications director of the DEP.
According to Fletcher, Lexington Coal Co. acquired a reclaimed deep mine, formerly the White Tail Mine, but water build-up in the mine was affecting nearby water supplies. Lexington Coal drilled a hole into the mine to relieve this pressure.
In an email, Fletcher said the DMR has taken water samples from Raccoon Creek, both upstream and downstream of the mine discharge point. He said the DMR is awaiting the results of the sampling.
Newburg does not draw its drinking water from the creek, but some local residents complained of the smell coming from the creek, which runs through town.
Newburg Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bill Larew said the well that dumps into Raccoon Creek was drilled on W.Va. 92 because the mine was filling up with water.
“They purposely drilled it to lower the water,” Larew said. “I had the impression they were going to treat the water but they haven’t done that yet.”
Larew said, last year, sulphur water was found in a ditch above the Opossum Hollow dam in Newburg.
The ditch was blocked and he didn’t know if any of the drainage seeped into the lake behind the dam. The lake, on Little Raccoon Creek, is also known as the B&O Dam.
Acid mine drainage is caused when water flows over or through sulfur-bearing materials, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Problems associated with drainage include contaminated drinking water and disrupted growth and reproduction of aquatic plants and animals.
Fletcher said the DEP issued Lexington Coal an administrative order allowing for discharge, on the condition it submits weekly discharge monitoring reports.
He said the most recent sampling results from Jan. 6 and Jan. 13, provided by Lexington Coal, showed both upstream and downstream samples were in compliance with U.S. EPA recommendations for sulfate in drinking water and that sulfate levels are on the decline.
He said the DMR is continuing to investigate.
An informal public conference has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Newburg Fire Hall.
The purpose of the conference is to allow comments from local residents who may be adversely affected by the “Incidental Boundary Revision by Lexington Coal Co. LLC.”
The provision permits 1.51 acres to add a de-watering borehole for the K-Mine in the Lower Kittanning Coal Seam to Permit U100798.
IBR No. 11 is located one-half mile northeast of Newburg in Lyon and Reno districts of Preston County.
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