ATLAS - Both sides in a dispute over the repair and usage of the former Savitski Brothers Coal Company met with Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials in Mount Carmel Township Tuesday and the tone was eerily similar to recent township meetings - plenty of complaints lodged by concerned citizens.
The purpose of the meeting, called by the state DEP, was to discuss two permits for which D. Molesevich and Sons Construction Company have applied in regards to the former Savitski Brothers site in Atlas and the Mustang Stripping Operations near Natalie. Township residents, including the Atlas project's most vocal critic, Joseph Chimel, were on hand for public comment.
The first permit addressed concerned the Mustang Stripping Operation. The company has applied for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to regulate wastewater at the stripping operations.
The permit allows for up to 100,000 gallons of wastewater to be contained at the site.
Officials from Susquehanna River Basin Commission were informed of the permit request.
Environmental attorney John W. Carroll, representing Chimel, asked DEP officials why the Susquehanna River Basin Commission was informed since the wastewater will stay on site and will not be discharged into nearby watersheds, including Roaring Creek.
Mining engineer Joseph S. Blyler, who is in the process of reviewing Molesevich's application, said it's standard procedure to inform the commission when a discharge permit is requested.
Carroll said Molesevich's application contains wrong information, to which Blyler said it's not uncommon for some applications to go through two or three revisions before being formally reviewed.
Atlas breaker
The second permit is a renewal and will allow Molesevich to continue coal refuse processing at the breaker in Atlas. It also addresses disposal of coal waste and wastewater. During the public comment portion, Carroll asked DEP officials several questions about the operation, including if the new operation allows for the processing of new material shipped in, as opposed to material already at the site, and if the permit allows for surface mining.
DEP's District Mining Manager Michael Menghini, who ran the meeting, said that if surface mining is to be included, the permit would require a major revision.
As the meeting continued, company owner Dennis Molesevich and staff members listened intently. Their attorney addressed several criticisms.
Chimel, who has been the most vocal critic against Molesevich's operation, asked DEP officials if residents' complaint are falling on deaf ears.
"We can say that there have been about 25 to 30 complaints about Mr. Molesevich's operation, and that inspectors are out once or twice a week, but no violations have been found," Menghini said.
Several people in favor of Molesevich's projects attended the meeting, including Joe Fiamoncini, who urged Atlas residents to be patient.
"The place we are sitting on was once a breaker, and I've always lived near a breaker," he said. "For the life of me, I don't remember my dad washing the house every week and there is better equipment at the breaker today. We all just need to have a little bit of common sense and remember that this gentleman is bringing jobs to our area and being an entrepreneur."
Another resident said, "I'm 80 years old and we've always washed the walls, but it's never been as bad as it is now and I'm sick and fed up with it."
'Limiting' hours
Carroll asked that the operation be limited to eight hours a day, five days a week. The permit allows the company to operate 25 hours a week, not including time spent fixing equipment. It does not limit what days work can occur at the site.
"With all the concerns about the dust and noise, maybe restrictions on hours of operations might alleviate some of the problems," Carroll said.
Menghini said Carroll's suggestion will be considered.
Molesevich's attorney asked DEP to also take under advisement that the company's hours are contingent upon customer needs.
Public comments on the applications will remain open for two weeks before they are reviewed again.