Published: December 28, 2018 |

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The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency issued authorization to Oxford Coal “to discharge from the Oxford APV Area wastewater treatment works located at Perry County, Clayton Township, and discharging to UTT (Unnamed Tributary To) of Rush Creek and UTT of Buckeye Fork in accordance with the conditions specified in Parts I, II, and III of this permit.”

That wording in a press release issued Dec. 20, clears a major hurdle for Oxford Coal to begin operations in Perry State Forest.

Also released simultaneously was a list of answers to questions raised by concerned citizens opposed to mining operations in the state forest. Regarding baseline water quality samples, environmental issues, and water treatment procedures proposed by the Oxford Coal, Ohio EPA sided with the coal company on every question.

On any issue concerning social, economic, blasting damage to existing homes in the area, and deforestation, the Ohio EPA responded by saying these issues are not in their jurisdiction. All questions that tied Ohio EPA to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) received a similar response saying that the Ohio EPA has no jurisdiction over the permitting process for ODNR or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE).

Two issues important to the Friends of Perry State Forest, a group at the forefront of the opposition to the proposed mine, are the financial status of Oxford Coal and past EPA violations by the company. The Ohio EPA said no violations were found in DSW/SEDO files or eDOCS.

Oxford Coal is a subsidiary of Westmoreland Coal that has recently begun bankruptcy procedures. The Friends of Perry State Forest are extremely concerned over this financial situation. Once again the Ohio EPA responded by saying “This is not the jurisdiction of Ohio EPA.”

The Ohio EPA permit granting Oxford Coal Company authorization to discharge under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System is effective from Feb. 1, 2019 and expires Jan. 31, 2024.

The Friends of Perry State Forest reacted within two hours of the Ohio EPA press release about the proposed Oxford mine in Perry County.

“As families prepare to celebrate the holidays, the state’s issuance of the water permit for this reckless project amounts to a big lump of coal in the stockings of every resident,” stated Lauren Ketcham, spokesperson for the Friends of Perry State Forest.

One major point of disagreement the Friends have with the Ohio EPA is the agency’s response about Oxford’s history of permit violations during their surface mining project on the east side of state Route 345 along No. 8 Hollow Road. Ohio EPA said, “No violations were found in DSW/SEDO files or eDOCS.”

The Friends say 62 permit violations by Oxford occurred in Perry County between 1995 and 2018. Seven violations involved the discharge of “acid water” while 10 blasting violations were documented.

Ketcham added that the Friends group is considering all options moving forward, including an appeal to the Environmental Review Appeal Commission.

Source: Perry County Tribune

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