There is a lot to be troubled about concerning the decision of the EMC Hearing Officer, James F. Hampton, who's been a judge, a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alabama and a hearing officer in the BARD Motion to Intervene regarding SWMA. Mr. Hampton has quite a long pedigree as a state inclined legal eagle and his conclusion about this controversial mine permit is not unexpected, but it is disappointing.
Page 7 Item 10 is also disappointing and allows a lot of wiggle room for what ADEM may or may not do if issuing this permit becomes problematic. The chances are high, if the history of mine discharge in Alabama is any indicator, that there will be problems and plenty of them:
"Permit does not contain limitations on chlorides, sulfide, total dissolved solids or aluminum, which are commonly associated with acid mine drainage. Under this permit, ADEM may modify the terms of the permit, if, in the future, it is shown to ADEM's satisfaction that the permit is not protective of water quality."EMC Docket No 09-04-2011 07 20 Report of Hearing Officer
So in plain speak it's ADEMs position to adopt a wait and see approach of if pollution occurs, and that pollution determination has to meet ADEMs satisfaction level.
ReplyDeleteThey may be wording things within legal parameters, but it's disconcerting to approach something like this coal mine with a wait and see attitude. As you pointed out, history is not on their side and they should know better.
Never fear ADEM is here!
ReplyDeleteYeah right.
How's that worked out so far?
Birmingham Weekly Green Briefs July 28, 2011
ReplyDelete"The Hearing Officer’s recommendations will go before the EMC August 19, the release states. If the EMC adopts the recommendation, allowing the mine to go forward, Riverkeeper and the SELC will appeal the decision, citing the damage to area drinking water they say that pollutants from the mine could cause."
"The groups say that even if Shepherd Bend adheres to the terms of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) wastewater discharge permit issued by ADEM, it would put a dangerous level of pollutants, including sulfates and chlorides, into Birmingham-area drinking water. The mine site is located approximately 800 feet from a Birmingham Water Works Board drinking water intake on the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior that serves about 200,000 people.
The permit disallows sulfates and chlorides from what I read in the report. Has everybody on the mining side and state agencies gone crazy? None of their explanations make good sense.
ADEM is useless, useless, USELESS!
ReplyDeleteThis just adds another page to the ten foot high stack of why they need a huge overhaul and complete reform!
Due in part to its widespread use in industry, Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is involved in many environmental incidents each year. While most are unavoidable given current technology, there can be little doubt that the presence of DHMO in each significantly increases the negative impact to the environment. I would hope that DMHO will be the next environmental disaster you will expose to the world. Great work!!
ReplyDeleteI wish the Blogger platform allowed for pictures in the comment section. If they did I would insert the biggest one I could find of a big ol' honkin' rubber stamp!
ReplyDeleteADEM and the ASMC are nothing more than yes to all pollution you can bring to us here in Bama. It keeps the state flush to have all the polluters they can get paying money left and right to drop as many toxins as they can on all of us!!
Crooks and Liars!!!!!!!!
I have said it before, I will say it again; what Drummond wants Drummond gets.
ReplyDeleteAt ADEM and ASMC and EMC - no heroes among them.
ReplyDeleteOMG - I found this site thanks to a friend. There is so much information here, I will be reading for days! TY Max keep up the good fight!
ReplyDeleteJames Hampton = company man.
ReplyDeleteThe fix is in.
ReplyDeleteActually it was never out.
5 Points is dead on. Drummond owns Alabama and Alabama Power sits at the right hand of the throne.