The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) will hold two public hearings today regarding a water discharge permit for the proposed North Canton Mine near the city of Canton in Fulton County.

Capital Resources Development of Springfield seeks to mine bituminous coal from 774 acres of wooded and agricultural land on an approximately 1085-acre site. IEPA tentatively approved the water discharge and 401 water quality certification permits in August 2011.

Environmental groups including the Sierra Club, Heartland Coalfield Alliance, and Canton Area Citizens for Environmental Issues Opponents oppose the mine on the grounds that it will destroy natural areas and prime agricultural land, and threaten the water supply for over 20,000 people. Capital Resources Development, also known as Freeman United Coal Company and Springfield Coal Company, operates a mine near the town of Industry in McDonough County. The Attorney General is suing the operator for over 300 violations of the Clean Water Act at that site.

Capital Resources Development plans to fill two tributaries to the Copperas Creek in order to create impound ponds. These ponds are intended to keep toxic substances from entering the Canton Lake watershed. While the company is confident that its plans will meet IEPA discharge requirements, the poor record of the industry mine has environmentalists and local residents concerned for the safety of their drinking water and health.

IEPA documents include information on the mine’s expected output:

The mine will initially produce about 150,000 tons per year of coal until a complete boxcut is open. The mine is then expected to produce approximately 900,000 tons per year of coal. The current projected life of the mine is about 10 years. Total coal extracted is estimated at 6.80 million tons.

The operator also claims that the project will create 50 jobs for local residents and widespread economic benefits for the area. The limited nature of mining operations, however, ensures that these jobs will be short-term, and the environmental impacts may easily outweigh any economic gains.

Public hearing information:

NPDES Water Discharge Hearing
Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 5:00 p.m.

401 Water Quality Hearing
Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 7:30 p.m.

Donaldson Center
250 South Avenue D
Canton, Illinois

The Illinois EPA welcomes significant comments which must be postmarked or e-mailed by midnight, January 5, 2012, when the hearing record closes. Electronic comments must specify North Canton Mine in the subject line and must be sent to epa.publichearingcom@illinois.gov.

Written comments must be sent to:
Hearing Officer Dean Studer
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
1021 North Grand Avenue East Phone 217-558-8280
P. O. Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794-9276 TDD (hearing impaired) 217-782-9143

Image: SaveCantonLake.com