DEP Considers Allowing CONSOL to Discharge Into Dunkard Creek Again
Experts have speculated that discharge from the Blacksville No. 2
mine contributed to the September fish kill.
The State Journal
10 December 2009
By Jessika Lewis
MORGANTOWN -- The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
is finalizing an order to allow CONSOL to again discharge water from
the Blacksville No. 2 mine into Dunkard Creek.
The company discontinued the mine’s discharge when investigators began
to speculate that it may have been killing the creek’s inhabitants.
Investigators have pointed to heightened levels of Total Dissolved
Solids (TDS) in the creek, which appear to have resulted from the
mine’s discharge, as a major contributing factor for the growth of
golden algae in the waterway.
They believe the algae, which release a toxin, may be responsible for
killing 40 species of fish and salamanders and the entire 14 species
mussel population throughout 43 miles of stream.
Although golden algae was a major contributing factor to the fish kill,
Cosco said there are other factors, like temperature and water flow,
that created the environment that killed the fish.
CONSOL expressed concern for the safety of the 200-400 miners who work
in the underground mine because of deepening mine pools, according to
Kathy Cosco, West Virginia DEP spokeswoman.
Cosco did not deny that it is possible that allowing CONSOL to dump
into the creek could spark another kill.
However, she pointed out that fish had survived in the stream with high
levels of TDS for years prior to the September kill, and said experts
have stated that golden algae does not bloom in cold water temperatures
like the ones in the creek now.
The DEP is hoping that allowing CONSOL to pump the water into the creek
during winter will give the agency a window to allow CONSOL to address
its safety concerns and allow the DEP to address its water quality
concerns, according to Cosco.
Cosco said she expect the order to be completed by the end of the week.
The Pennsylvania DEP recognizes that the Blacksville No. 2 mine pool is
deepening, according to Helen Humphreys, spokeswoman for the PA DEP.
Humphreys declined to make further comment on the matter, saying that
her organization has been in contact with its West Virginia
counterpart, but had no say over its decision.
The Environmental Protection Agency took a similar stance.
“I do not want to comment on West Virginia’s order until it’s issued.
In the bigger picture, right now we’re very aware of the problem and
we’re working with both states to improve water quality in Dunkard
Creek,” said David Sternberg with the EPA.
CONSOL could not be reached for comment on this matter.