Agencies Looking at Blacksville Mine for Fish Kill Answer


Washington, PA Observer-Reporter
16 September 2009
By Bob Niedbala, Staff Writer
niedbala@observer-reporter.com

A West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection official said Wednesday agencies continue to investigate the fish kill on Dunkard Creek and are considering the notion that discharge from the Blacksville No. 2 Mine may have played a roll in the incident.

"We are acknowledging the hypothesis that at least part of the problem came from the outlet of the Blacksville No. 2 Mine," said Kathy Cosco, spokeswoman for the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. "It's still a hypothesis. But it's the only reasonable hypothesis we have right now."

High levels of total dissolved solids in the stream near the mine's discharge could explain the fish kill at least in the immediate area of the outfall, she said. It still remains a question about what might have happened downstream, she said.

The agency, as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and federal Environmental Protection Agency, are jointly investigating the kill, which began about two weeks ago and by some accounts has killed thousands of fish and other aquatic life.

Cosco said the agencies continue to conduct tests and are awaiting results. "It's disturbing to see this many fish killed," she said. "People have to understand, however, many factors must be considered as part of the investigation."

A preliminary report prepared by the EPA indicated a likely source may be Consol Energy's Blacksvlle No. 2 Mine because of high levels of chloride in its waste water.

EPA spokesman David Sternberg said Tuesday, however, investigators have not determined that the mine is the source. "We suspect Blacksville No. 2 may have been a source but we can't rule out other sources right now," he said.

Consol Energy spokesman Joe Cerenzia said Tuesday that the company is working with state and federal agencies and is conducting its own investigation, but noted the investigating agencies have not conclusively pinpointed the cause.