A heads up to our community! Two important dates are scheduled in November for community members to take action and share their concerns and questions on the Rustic Ridge Mine Complex! Each space offers an opportunity for residents to fully understand what is current and proposed with the Rustic Ridge Deep Mine and to voice their concerns to the permit decision makers at the PA Department of Environmental Protection.
- Rustic Ridge Community Town Hall, Thursday, November 5 at 6pm, Saint Raymond of the Mountains, dinner and resources provided by Mountain Watershed Association, (Virtual option available via Zoom – register here!)
- Rustic Ridge 1 Mine Permit Renewal Informal Public Conference with PA DEP California District Mining Office permit review team, Tuesday, November 10 at 6pm, Saint Raymond of the Mountains
On November 5 Mountain Watershed will host a Community Town Hall to provide updates on the massive mine complex located in the heart of the Laurel Highlands. All are welcome to gather to better understand the scope of the issue which has caught attention from property owners, visitors, advocacy and conservation groups since the mine first began operating in 2018.
Advocates and organizers from MWA will update the community on the permitting timeline for the proposed Rustic Ridge 2 coal mine, permit renewals for Rustic Ridge 1 coal mine, most recent coal mine maps, and property owner rights. Our team will also provide an update on the recent Unsuitable for Mining Petition review approval from DEP, and what the community needs to know about that process.
Most significantly, the meeting will focus on the opportunity to prepare community members and stakeholders on the opportunity to provide public comment to the PA Department of Environmental Protection.
A community meal will be served along with breakout sessions that include an opportunity for residents to review the accuracy of how their property is listed on the Rustic Ridge 2 Water and Structure Inventory, the current mining areas and who should be getting a pre-mining survey, and ways to reach out to elected officials on this issue.
This Informal Public Conference on November 10, with DEP will cover the permit renewals for the Rustic Ridge 1 Coal Mine. This is a procedural stage in permitting as the standard 5 year permit renewals for the active Rustic Ridge 1 coal mine have been submitted. The renewals include the coal mining permit and discharge permit, known as the NPDES or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
MWA will share talking points to support public comment ahead of the IPC. Those who wish to attend and make comments do not need to register.
DEP’s California District Mining Office, 25 Technology Criver, Coal Center, PA 15423, will accept written comments until November 24 on the renewal application. Copies of the application are on file for public review by appointment at Department of Environmental Protection, District Mining Operations, California District Office, 25 Technology Drive, California Technology Park, Coal Center, PA 15423. Please call or email Lori Jenkins, 724-769-1023 or send email to: lorjenkins@pa.gov to inquire about electronic application review options.
If you have any questions call us at 724-455-4200, or email Stacey@mtwatershed.com with questions!