DNR hears testimony for, against mine

SUTTON – A crowd bigger than the elementary school’s parking lot could hold showed up Tuesday to express opinions both for and against opening a coal mine in the Buffalo Mine Road area.

The meeting in question was the final opportunity for residents to weigh in with the state’s Department of Natural Resources on Usibelli Coal Mine’s application to renew its mining permit for the Wishbone Hill project between Palmer and Sutton. The mine has been the subject of spirited debates for months now with very strong opinions.

Tuesday was no different.

“I love the view that I have of Wishbone Hill,” Gene Blydenburgh testified. “I am not in favor of Usibelli Coal Mine blowing up my hill.”

Other anti-coal attendees, some wearing a variety of shirts done up with slogans opposing the mine, others carrying signs with similar slogans, brought up concerns about plummeting property values and possible risk to public health.

“I’m against building coal mines next to a residential neighborhood,” said Dr. Gary Benedetti. “I’m not against building coal mines.”

Reacting to statements that Usibelli’s mine in Healy has operated without destroying the surrounding community or environment, some pointed out that Healy isn’t Sutton and that Sutton is famous for its strong winds, winds that can carry coal dust.

But pro-coal residents were there as well. Most yearn for the jobs the mine will bring and doubt claims that coal dust or mining waste is all that hazardous.

Roger Purcell, a Houston resident and former mayor of that town, testified that coal built a lot of communities around the Valley, including Houston.

“People every day drive by the old mine and they don’t even know it’s there,” Purcell said.

Nancy Rowland, another Valley resident, testified that she and her husband were married in Palmer but made their first home around the Usibelli Coal Mine in Healy.

“We enjoyed living in the midst of mining activities the years we were there.”

Eileen Haines, who said she lives a few miles from the mine but is upwind, offered to trade her 3-bedroom house for a similar home downwind of the mine, especially one by the slurry ponds residents were concerned about. Haines said the slurry ponds she’s seen have been beautiful lakes she’d love to live on. She said she has faith in the state’s permitting process.

“I believe these people will hold Usibelli to the line,” she said, indicating the DNR representatives there to take testimony.