Company seeks permit for new mine near Fort Gay

FORT GAY — Powdermill Processing Inc. of Louisa, Ky., has applied for a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a new deep mine project about 6 miles southeast of Fort Gay.

The company has proposed Stone #1 Deep Mine, Powdermill Branch Haulroad, a coal preparation plant and dry coal refuse disposal area. The proposed project would impact Powdermill Branch, a tributary of Tug Fork, affecting 6,441 linear feet of streams and an acre of adjacent emergent wetland, according to a public notice form from the Corps of Engineers. The project is up for public comment through May 29.

The federal action being considered is the issuance of a permit for the placement of dredged and fill material into waters during construction of the deep mine portal, preparation plant area, dry refuse disposal area and haulroad.

The state Historic Preservation Officer has stated there are no archeological or historical properties within the project area eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The only endangered species that has a natural range in the project area is the Indiana bat, but none of the species were found during an inventory, according to the public notice from the Corps.

Anyone with an interest that may be adversely affected if the permit is issued may request a public hearing. The request must be submitted in writing to the district engineer. Comments or requests for additional information should be submitted to Richard Berkes, regulatory specialist, South Regulatory Section, CELRH-OR-FS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District, 502 8th St., Huntington, WV 25701.

Anyone with questions about the public notice can reach Berkes by phone at 304-399-5610.