JAMES MADISON QUOTE - 1822

"A popular government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives."

SCOTTSBORO WEATHER - SUN & MOON RISE

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Jackson County Commission Meeting - Coal Mining Issue Back in the News



Monday was a combined work session and regular session for the Jackson County Commission. Unfortunately I could not be present for both sessions. As soon as the video of the work session (in part) finishes down loading I will post it on my blog. Work Session Agenda posted below.

Item 19, D&E Mining was a previous issue and resulted in a public hearing in 2009. Info and links below.
Nov. 23, 2009 County Commission Meeting, issue involving D&E Mining- "Exception to decrease the Right of Way on County Road 81 for the purpose of mining was disapproved. A motion was made and approved to maintain a 100ft right of way in the area proposed by D & E Mining to mine on County Road 81." http://arklite.blogspot.com/2009/11/jackson-county-commission-meeting_24.html

Oct. 27, 2009 meeting on issue: "2) Public Hearing set for Nov 19, 2009 to consider the issue of allowing D & E Mining the right to mine coal from under the current right of way of Co RD 81. Ms. Manning, current County Engineer as well as the previous County Engineer have remarked, in their opinion, "mining close to the road way, 15 feet, was an unsafe act." The current right of way extends 50 feet from the edge of the county right of way. Further comments from the commission indicated there were concerns over safety of children on school buses as well as citizens traveling the area. http://arklite.blogspot.com/2009/10/jackson-conty-commission-meeting.html

News Story by David Brewer on issue as reported by the Huntsville Times: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2009/11/sand_mountain_residents_claim.html

Other potential problems: "6) Coal Recovery, including removal by auguring, coal underlying the right-of-way of Jackson County Road 81."
http://surface-mining.alabama.gov/P3935R2/Data%5CPart%20III.pdf Hazard?
Questions - What is the extent of auguring operations under the right of way? Depth-amount of material removed-hazard to the public's right of travel? Have laws been violated and was the commission aware of the tunneling under the right of way?
Is the County Engineer aware of the mining company's actions in this permit as it relates to tunneling/auguring activity?  
 
 


Commission Chair to establish committees: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_13029768-4607-11e2-b303-001a4bcf887a.html Next meeting will be Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 at 5PM

No comments: