[Coach_Owens87]

On June 13, 2007 Judge Chambers outlawed the construction and use of sediment ponds on mining operations, (sediment ponds have been used in mining operations for over thirty years) this is part of a lawsuit brought on by environmental groups in West Virginia. These ponds are constructed downstream of hollow fills so when water flows from a mining operation to the pond, where the solids in the water (mainly during a rain storm) are able to settle into the bottom of the pond and not enter the stream. When the sediment in the pond reaches about 50% of the ponds capacity, the pond is then cleaned out to allow for more sediment to settle into the pond.

Since both surface and underground mining operations use sediment ponds, this ruling will effect both, and if is ruling is not overturned, it could devastate the mining industry. Check out the story below.



http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2007061320

I really like this Judge Chambers, he doesn't back down from the rich and powerful coal companies. These slurry lakes and ponds have been breaking the rules set fourth by the clean water act for years, but no one has enforced it. The bad thing is the "clean coal" oxymoron, and the clean air act that where supposed to protect the planet but all they have done is increase the use of slurry ponds to hold the sludge from cleaning the coal.

We need to shift our attention towards cleaner, renewable energies anyway, maybe this will be a slight push to get to that point quicker.

And as far as the major blow to coal companies, they have been breaking laws and making millions for years, they're a ingenious industry, they can find a way to move on, while protecting the envioronment.