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Apr 04, 2024

Bishops Brothers, DEP 'blasted' by public

Many members of the public made their concerns known during the public informational meeting on the Minard Mine on Monday. ATHENS — Numerous Valley residents lambasted representatives of Bishop

Many members of the public made their concerns known during the public informational meeting on the Minard Mine on Monday.

ATHENS — Numerous Valley residents lambasted representatives of Bishop Brothers and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on Monday as both entities hosted an informational meeting on the proposed Minard sand and gravel Mine.

Dozens sat in the auditorium of the Athens Area High School to listen to informational presentations from both Bishop Brothers and the DEP prior to having their own chance on the microphone, which many used to question the proposal or reject the project outright.

Many questions from residents focused on the possibility of air and water pollution as well as concerns with the decibel levels created from the proposed blasting at the site.

In response, DEP officials stated that any blasting done on the site is not to exceed 133 decibels, and any dust clouds blowing off the site would be considered a violation of its mining permit and would dissipate far short of areas such as schools. Additionally, DEP representatives noted that water tables would not be affected and no discharges were planned directly into the Chemung River. Rather, two discharges are planned for Tutelow Creek, which would consist of water pumped from the pits in the sandstone mining area and stormwater — neither of which are expected to have adverse effects to the environment.

“All types of surface mining will create pollution somewhere,” said a resident. “Whether it be noise or the flora and fauna or the waterways. Eventually, there is pollution.”

“The runoff from the dredge is going to be pretty impressive,” another resident said. You’re going to have lubricants from the dredge. You’re going to have diesel fuel. You’re going to have things washed off the boat. The dredge has got to go right straight into the pond, which doesn’t have any outlet. So all those pollutants are going to fill up the pond until we have a flood. And then all of those pollutants are going to flow into the river. That’s inevitable.”

Criticisms were also leveled at the Athens Township supervisors for not being present on stage.

“We did actually invite Athens Township and for various reasons they could not attend; you’d have to ask them,” said DEP Northcentral Regional Coordinator Jordi Comas. “I know it can be frustrating for us as citizens that our government can often seem fragmented, but the reality is the way it’s set up is different parts of government, whether it be municipal or state or federal, all have different regulatory areas. So I think we all get how that can be frustrating at times.”

However, supervisor chair Tressa Heffron was present in the audience during the meeting and took the opportunity to speak on the public’s microphone as well. She also clarified on Tuesday why the township was not officially represented on stage.

“I was there. I was on stage and ready to be a part of it,” she said. “But I was told that I wasn’t needed, and they didn’t have a table set up for supervisors. So I thought, ‘okay, maybe this is just a Bishop Brothers and DEP event?’ But we absolutely said we would be there.”

With allowance for decibel levels as high as 133, a local veteran expressed significant concerns for himself and his fellow service men and women.

“The fireworks that we and everybody just heard through the Valley (for Sayre Summer Splash) ranged from 150 to 175 decibels,” he said. “And you’re acting like we’re not going to hear anything coming off the mountain. For me, that’s a problem. The last time I was blown up, it was not a good time. The last thing I want to be doing is be driving down (Route) 220 and headed to Walmart or a VA appointment and hear some blast from the side. I don’t know how I’m going to react.”

Residents also posed questions on who would regulate and inspect the mine if the Bishop Brothers permit is approved. DEP officials explained that the mine would be subject to random quarterly inspections from the regional DEP mine inspector.

“Basically, the inspector will show up, and that mine site should be operating and should appear in the same manner as the permit was written,” said DEP Surface Mine Conservation Inspector Supervisor Dave Goss.

As far as how local wildlife would be affected, DEP noted in previous documents that no eagles’ nests were found in the mining site after a visual and drone inspection — an assessment that many residents vehemently disagreed with.

“We have eagles that fly the river every day for many years,” said a Lois Lane residents, which is located next to the Chemung River. Other residents stated they had pictures and videos of eagles nesting in the area, which DEP officials encouraging them to submit those to the DEP for consideration.

Another question residents asked was how Bishop Brothers received initial zoning approval for the site given that its currently zoned agricultural and woodland — a question that Heffron later attempted to clarify.

“When Bishop Brothers first came to us, all they asked for was a variance in the agricultural zone, which meant they wouldn’t be on the mountain,” she said. “We granted that variance with that specifically in mind. Then they came back to us later and said there was a technical oversight and wanted to include the woodland conservation area, but that was not in their original application.”

The other township-related problem posed by residents was the question of road maintenance. However, Wilawana Road and the bridge over the Chemung River on that roadway are maintained by the state. Meadowlark Drive — the lone township road that would be used by the mine if it were approved — would be maintained by Bishop Brothers, she said.

The longer into the night the meeting went, the harsher residents became towards the project.

“While some may argue that the Minards should be able to do whatever they want on their private property, that argument becomes null and void when the intent is to install a commercial operation that will potentially impact not just those in the surrounding communities, but also tens of thousands of people hundreds of miles downstream,” said one resident said in a prepared statement. “One family leasing land to one business for substantial monetary gain over the course of decades should not trump the rights of thousands of others to live in a peaceful community devoid of the eyesore and potential environmental catastrophe that this project may bring for generations to come.”

When DEP officials attempted to respond to her concerns, she shot back, “It wasn’t a question. It was a comment. I’ve heard it. I don’t want to hear any more.”

“What considerations have been taken regarding the changes of traffic patterns and potential safety hazards/threats that come with the increase of traffic on the Mile Lane Road and 220 interchange that’s already a freaking nightmare,” said another resident. “You can tell me (the blasting) will be underground. It’s 133 decibels. I get it. We all get it. It’s loud as hell in the this Valley. It echoes and it’s beautiful for fireworks. But if you have auditory issues or PTSD, it’s a (expletive) nightmare.

“So to tell us it’s going to be kind of loud — no, it’s going to be insanely loud in this Valley and we all know it because we all live here,” he continued. “So when we come to you angry and concerned, it comes from a place where this is in our backyards and we’re being affected, and we’re sick and tired of the small companies that control everything doing this to us.”

Bishop Brothers currently has six similar operations within Bradford County, and the proposed Minard Mine would be located just west of the Chemung River north of Round Top Park. The mining plan is proposed to be phased in over a number of years, and the estimated life of the operation is 20 years. The proposed total project area includes 360.7 acres, of which 150.7 acres of cropland and forestland would be disturbed. The proposed surface mining activity would include blasting and removal of sandstone from the hillside. Mining of sand and gravel would be conducted in the area between Tutelow Creek and the Chemung River. A processing area is also proposed for crushing and screening of mined material.

An information sheet with more details about the proposed mining activity, an electronic copy of the permit application, and associated maps can be viewed on DEP’s website at https://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/North-central-Regional-Office/Community-Information/Pages/Minard-Mine.aspx. Paper copies of the application are available for public review during regular business hours at the DEP Moshannon District Mining Office, located at 186 Enterprise Drive, Philipsburg, PA 16866, and at the Athens Township Municipal Building, located at 45 Herrick Avenue, Sayre, PA 18840.

Written comments will also be accepted until Aug. 25, 2023 and can be sent to John Mital, Licensed Professional Geologist, Moshannon District Mining Office, via email at [email protected] or via mail to the Moshannon District Mining Office, 186 Enterprise Drive, Philipsburg, PA 16866.

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