Spring Break
Locals meet to preserve forest
Erin McCarthy
Issue date: 1/30/09 Section: News
Approximately 60 people gathered at the Industry Elementary School for a public hearing regarding the fifth renewal of the Industry Coal Mine Permit #16 on Wednesday. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Mines and Minerals conducted the hearing and invited concerned citizens to present their comments and questions for review.
The area in question is the Great Chandler Timbers, one of the last remaining sections of old forests in the area, and is populated with ancient maples, ironwoods, black walnut trees and thorn apples. The forest has been declared a vital habitat for American bald eagles, great blue herons and American white pelicans, and the destruction of this forest has been a cause of major concern from several area citizens.
Kim Sedgwick, account technician for Western Illinois University Document and Publication Services, has been working for years to defend the remaining forest. She believes the IDNR has failed to consider the impact of the mine on the surrounding environment and that the Environmental Protection Agency has been too lax on enforcing regulations.
"This natural heritage should be protected and undisturbed, utilizing alternative clean energy methods such as wind power on the past lands they have turned into flat desolated lands," Sedgwick said. "We believe that citizens who value the Grindstone Creek, the Camp Creek, Willow Creek and Troublesome Creek … should be greatly outraged by these agencies' failure to follow rules intended to protect our natural resources."
According to Sedgwick, aquatic studies by the IDNR relating to the Grindstone Creek show a drastic decline in specimens, and many of the sediment ponds hold highly toxic chemicals, including sulfur, lead, mercury and arsenic.
Attendees in favor of the permit renewal included citizens concerned with the number of jobs at stake, as well as representatives from the McDonough County Cooperative and the Spoon River Electric Cooperative.
The area in question is the Great Chandler Timbers, one of the last remaining sections of old forests in the area, and is populated with ancient maples, ironwoods, black walnut trees and thorn apples. The forest has been declared a vital habitat for American bald eagles, great blue herons and American white pelicans, and the destruction of this forest has been a cause of major concern from several area citizens.
Kim Sedgwick, account technician for Western Illinois University Document and Publication Services, has been working for years to defend the remaining forest. She believes the IDNR has failed to consider the impact of the mine on the surrounding environment and that the Environmental Protection Agency has been too lax on enforcing regulations.
"This natural heritage should be protected and undisturbed, utilizing alternative clean energy methods such as wind power on the past lands they have turned into flat desolated lands," Sedgwick said. "We believe that citizens who value the Grindstone Creek, the Camp Creek, Willow Creek and Troublesome Creek … should be greatly outraged by these agencies' failure to follow rules intended to protect our natural resources."
According to Sedgwick, aquatic studies by the IDNR relating to the Grindstone Creek show a drastic decline in specimens, and many of the sediment ponds hold highly toxic chemicals, including sulfur, lead, mercury and arsenic.
Attendees in favor of the permit renewal included citizens concerned with the number of jobs at stake, as well as representatives from the McDonough County Cooperative and the Spoon River Electric Cooperative.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Aoster
Adam
posted 1/31/09 @ 9:10 PM CST
Perhaps I may not have understood the article all too well, but where can we voice our opinion on the matter?
Losing Weight
posted 2/01/09 @ 9:11 AM CST
Besides energy from the wind, you can get energy from the sun with solar cells. Coal comes from living things that have stored up energy from the sun. (Continued…)
Lyndon
posted 2/02/09 @ 11:59 AM CST
Ok first of all coal transport on trains is more efficient than the transport of anything you are going to get at any store here in town. Trains transporting coal around here (it will vary depending on the gradient just as in your car) will get better gas millage than you precious Prius. (Continued…)
Lyndon
posted 2/02/09 @ 4:59 PM CST
Actually that mine has a wonderful collection of biodiversity. I do not know what the exact areas are labeled, but have been to almost every area of the mine. (Continued…)
Erin
posted 2/03/09 @ 1:55 PM CST
"It is amazing how little research is done on the Courier articles. How few biology profs are interviewed when the article is on biology"
Funny. There were actually two biologists in attendance. (Continued…)
Post a Comment