DEP hopes to get $25 million to treat mine runoff
The state Department of Environmental Protection is optimistic that the state will receive almost $25 million from LTV Steel Co. to treat 30 million gallons of polluted water from the bankrupt company’s old mines and coal waste piles, but say there are no guarantees. Diana Stares, regional counsel for DEP, said negotiations for a “fair” disbursement in the bankrupt steelmaker’s liquidation case have been ongoing for the better part of the year. She expects a settlement in the bankruptcy proceedings in approximately three months.
“We are hopeful to get that amount ($25 million), but there is no guarantee,” Stares said. “We need $34 million. So we’re trying to get as close to that number as possible. No question there will be a shortfall. But what that will be is difficult to say.”
DEP abandoned mine manager Scott Horrell said he is also hopeful of a fair disbursement.
“Negotiations are continuing, but I expect $20 million to $25 million,” he said.
But Stares said the anticipated $25 million figure is based on what the DEP thinks is a “fair figure” based on LTV’s overall assets and debts.
“In light of (LTV’s) assets and debts, the department thinks ($25 million) is fair. But it’s difficult to say where that figure will actually fall. Given the status of negotiations, there are a lot of issues to be ironed out. We could end up with a whole lot less,” Stares said.
DEP only obtained $2.2 million from LTV to treat drainage from five of the company’s coal operations, a task that is expected to cost approximately $34 million, according to Stares.
The Ohio-based company, owns five sites in Washington, Greene and Allegheny counties and is currently treating 1.5 million gallons of mine runoff a day at the Clyde Mine in East Bethlehem Township, near Fredericktown (Washington County), and .3 million gallons of drainage a day at the Nemacolin coal refuse pile in Greene County.
The company also treats mine runoff at its other Pennsylvania mines, the Banning Mine in Rostraver and South Huntingdon townships and the Russleton Mine and coal refuse pile in West Deer Township, Allegheny County.
Stares said LTV will eventually discontinue its treatment and leave the task up to the DEP.
With its current funding, DEP could afford to treat the mines for a year. Once the DEP runs out of funds, the drainage will eventually be released to the waterways untreated, according to Horrell.
Joel Koricich, DEP engineer supervisor said during an informational meeting in November, that if untreated drainage into the Monongahela would not have a “total devastating impact.”
But according to Betsy Mallison of the DEP, the agency has put together a Mine Reclamation Advisory Board, to come up with a plan to deal with the abandon mine problem and possible affects to the river.
“We need a lot of support. We are seeking advice from people with knowledge on these issues,” Stares said.