US appeals court in Va. OKs W.Va. mine permit
Federal appeals court in Va. sides refuses to block mining permit in West Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- A federal appeals court is refusing to block a federal permit for a West Virginia coal mine that was challenged by environmentalists.
A panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that a federal judge was right to rule that the Army Corps of Engineers did its job when it granted the permit under the Clean Water Act. The permit was for Virginia-based Alpha Natural Resources' Highland Reylas surface mine in Logan County.
The Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and others had challenged the permit, saying it would cause irreparable harm to 2 ½ miles of streams.
The corps said it anticipated no such effects when it issued a water pollution permit. The court agreed that the agency thoroughly evaluated all evidence before making its decision.
