By Trib Total Media

Published: Saturday, October 6, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Saturday, October 6, 2012

The state Department of Environmental Protection heard from the public this week about returning some of the $176,000 in bond money posted by Amerikohl Mining Inc. for the Nicholson 3 mine in Normalville, which the company recently reclaimed.

A permit was issued to Amerikohl on April 25, 2011 to mine for coal along Buttermilk Hollow Road. Andy Walker, surface mine conservation inspector, said the permit was for 194 acres, with about 80 acres affected and then reclaimed. Amerikohl started mining in May 2011 and completed coal removal from the site by April

The public hearing on Thursday was for agency officials to consider releasing Stage 1 bond money to Amerikohl. No decision was made.

Krissy Kasserman of the Youghiogheny Riverkeepers and the Mountain Watershed Association, said the groups had a hydrogeologist look at the quality of two streams that were impacted by the mining.

“The concerns of our hydrogeologist were whether there was a decline in base flow from the top of the streams to the bottom and whether or not there was a significant increase in sedimentation below the site,” she said.

“Even though it was not required, we would have liked to see some testing for macro-invertebrates below the site,” she said.

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