WILLIAMSON/SALINE COs., Ill.— Today was the last day for hearings regarding impact that a mining expansion in the Cottage Township area/Rocky Branch Road in Saline County has had on residents.
A contingent of Cottage Township residents, who have continuously voiced their concerns at previously-held hearings in Saline County, at the county board meetings, and in other venues, showed up this morning at the State Regional Office Building on West Main Street in Marion.
Residents of Rocky Branch entered the building to present evidence to the IEPA as to what they believe are illegal actions of Peabody Coal. Evidence has also been submitted to Federal EPA. No one else—including media—was allowed to enter the building, so security had the residents meeting the press outside. (This, incidentally, prompted us to make two calls to Central Management Services property division, neither of which call has been returned as of close of business for the state employees today).
Resident Alan Porter said he was threatened earlier in the month by loggers trying to get in. The loggers have a permit to clear cut the trees but there has been no mining permit issued by IDNR.
Rocky Branch residents Don and Jennifer Dumbris stated that the mine is butted up behind their property. Mrs. Dumbris says she is afraid all the trees will be gone when she gets home.
Peabody plans to build a settle basin that is supposed to catch all of the mine pollutants; but residents in the area believe that the first time there is a storm, it will flush all of that onto their property and into their pond. Peabody also plans to dig a pit over 300 ft deep, and when they are finished mining they fill the pit with rock and gravel and put top soil on and plant something on there proving it to be restored. Don Dumbris is holding an aerial photo showing what used to be all farmland. The blue water shown is all pollutants. In the lower right hand corner shows what is left of Cottage Grove Cemetery.
We’re keeping apprised of the situation going on in the Rocky Branch Road area, and have actually had someone on-scene today. More as we get it.