What are the environmental impacts of the Spruce No. 1 Mine Permit as it is currently written?
The Spruce No. 1 Mine, as authorized, will directly impact 2,278 acres, including burying more than seven miles of stream and indirectly impact other waters downstream of the project site. These on-site streams are tributaries of and exhibit surface water connections to Spruce Fork of the Little Coal River, which ultimately flows into the Coal River. EPA Region 3 believes that construction of the Spruce No. 1 Mine would destroy streams and habitat, cause degradation of on- site and down stream water quality, and could therefore, result in unacceptable adverse impacts to wildlife and fishery resources. Potential adverse impacts include: • Burial of 7.5 miles of healthy headwater streams under 6 valley fills; • Contamination of downstream surface waters with pollutants from the mine including selenium, conductivity, iron, and aluminum. • Cause additional harm to the Little Coal River watershed already significantly impacted by previous mining activities. (33 % of streams are considered i
