Caney Residents Air Concerns About Proposed Mining
The community of Caney (also known as Stevens Branch) in Floyd County got the opportunity March 15 to air their concerns about proposed mining before federal and state mining officials.
Joe Blackburn of the federal Office of Surface Mining and officials from the state Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement joined about 25 residents at a local church for a frank conversation on past problems with mining and fears about proposed mining.
The community began organizing last fall after a huge boulder from a nearby Frasure Creek Mining operation crashed into the side of a house owned by Billy and Eileen Tussy in September (see photo below). Three weeks after the boulder incident, a soccer-ball-sized rock went through another resident’s roof.
The mining officials listened Monday as the community described a history of problems with the coal industry, including fly rock, cracked windows, black water, and broken gas lines. In particular, residents wanted some assurance that the state wouldn’t grant permits to Frasure Creek Mining for two more proposed mines.
Cindy Patton described the powerful blasting that keeps her from sleeping and became emotional when she spoke of praying for the mining to end. She said she and her husband, John, would not have moved to the community if they’d known that mining would occur near their home.
John Patton, a miner and preacher, said the coal industry had given him a job and helped him feed his family, but he knew the right way and the wrong way to mine. He asked the officials what it would take – someone getting killed? – before Frasure Creek Mining was held accountable.
Nurse practitioner Glennis Slone talked about the quality of both life and death for people living near mining sites. Her father was a miner, but she said the mining around her community today was not the same kind of mining she grew up with.
The community had been told to watch local newspapers for announcements of the pending permits so they could request a permit conference. Residents were disheartened to learn Monday night that the permits have already been "accepted.†They have not yet been granted, but the opportunity for a permit conference is past.
On the bright side, Blackburn seemed to listen to their concerns and took with him a thick folder documenting the many instances of noncompliance by Frasure Creek Mining and written complaints from residents.
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