Bankrupt coal company cited for releasing ‘sludge’ into West Virginia’s Gauley River watershed

This stretch of the South Fork of Cherry River is surrounded by South Fork Coal Company's surface mining operations. The brown hue to the water is caused by elevated sediment in the river. Photo by Willie Dodson

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection issued its latest notice of violation against South Fork Coal Company, the bankrupt mining firm operating a 3,600-acre surface mining complex in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, on March 24. The citation was issued for “iron staining and sludge deposits” in Becky Run caused by the company’s Lost Flats #2 Surface Mine.

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Major progress for action to address acid mine drainage crisis as STREAM Act passes House with strong bipartisan support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2022 Contact: Trey Pollard, trey@pollardcommunications.com, 202-904-9187 COAL COUNTRY — Today, advocates for abandoned mine clean up and clean water across the country celebrated as the U.S. House passed the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines (STREAM) Act — bipartisan legislation that would guarantee that major new…

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34 community organizations endorse new bipartisan House & Senate bills to address acid mine drainage crisis

CONTACT: Trey Pollard, 202-904-9187, trey@pollardcommunications.com APPALACHIA — Today, advocates and organizations from coal-impacted communities announced their support for the Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines (STREAM) Act – new bipartisan legislation that would guarantee that major new investments in abandoned mine land clean up can be directed to address the acid…

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