DEP renews controversial Rustic Ridge mine permits

Despite strong opposition from residents and elected officials, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has renewed permits for the Rustic Ridge #1 Coal Mine, setting the stage for a controversial 1,400-acre expansion, still under review.

At a public hearing last August, over 70 community members and environmental advocates urged DEP to reject the renewal, citing pollution concerns and long-term damage to local waterways. Monitoring data shows the mine has discharged high levels of selenium and other pollutants, yet DEP dismissed calls for stronger permit limits.

“The Rustic Ridge Mine puts our communities at risk while undoing decades of environmental restoration,” said Stacey Magda, Managing Organizer at MWA. “The expansion threatens local water supplies, recreation areas, and the millions invested in cleaning up our rivers and streams.”

A hydrogeology report commissioned by MWA found that the expansion is extremely likely (a likelihood of 90%) to reduce surface waters in Fourmile Run by at least 25%, endangering Donegal Lake and other recreation sites.

The expansion could also:

Double flow in Jacobs Creek tributaries, worsening water quality
Dewater aquifers by half, putting over 100 private water supplies at risk
Trigger new acid mine drainage (AMD), threatening Indian Creek and the Youghiogheny River

Abandoned mine drainage already contaminates 5,500 miles of Pennsylvania streams. MWA has invested over $10 million in remediation efforts—work now jeopardized by DEP’s decision.

This table is from the hydrogeology report, which shows that expanding the Rustic Ridge mine complex is extremely likely to reduce water quality throughout the sensitive areas of Fourmile Run and Jacobs Creek.

Economic Risks: $700+ Million in Potential Losses

The proposed mining expansion threatens the headwaters of Jacobs Creek and Loyalhanna Creek, whose watersheds are worth roughly $378 million annually in ecosystem benefits. If mining degrades just 10% of their value over the next 19 years, the total economic loss could exceed $718 million—a devastating blow to the region’s ecosystems, water resources, outdoor tourism, and agriculture.

The comment period for the Rustic Ridge Mine permit renewal and expansion has ended, but the effort to protect local waterways and communities continues. MWA remains committed to holding the mine accountable, and there are still important ways for the public to stay engaged:

Donate to MWA’s Legal Defense Fund
Save the Date: May 2025 Rustic Ridge Mine Town Hall
Check your proximity to the active mining
- Enter address and view your location on ‘Where is Rustic Ridge Mine Map’
- Ensure you have a pre-mining survey – if you do not not have a record or do not know if your survey was done contact APEX at (814) 443-3344
- If you live within the Rustic Ridge I mining boundary or buffer, monitor your structures and water supply monthly, and keep a written log.

More questions? Email stacey@mtwatershed.com or nate@mtwatershed.com to connect with our organizers on this issue!