Shepherd Bend Mine: A Threat to the River and Birmingham’s Drinking Water
The Shepherd Bend Mine permit application is currently being considered by the Alabama Surface Mining Commission (ASMC). On Thursday, August 19, the ASMC hosted a public hearing about the proposed Shepherd Bend Mine. The ASMC has 60 days from August 19 to rule on the permit application.
If issued, this permit will authorize strip mining for coal on Shepherd Bend along the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River to the northwest of Birmingham and southwest of Dora and Sumiton. The location of Shepherd Bend Mining, LLC’s proposed operation, right across the river from the Birmingham Water Works Board’s Mulberry Fork drinking water intake, would likely result in mining-related pollutants traveling directly to the intake and to the BWWB’s treatment facilities. Not only will this mine pose a threat to Birmingham’s drinking water supply, but it will also threaten water quality, wildlife habitat, recreation, aesthetics, and the peaceful way of life residents aim to have along the river.
The ASMC is currently considering a proposal for mining 286 acres at Shepherd Bend, draining to sediment ponds that would discharge wastewater at 4 outfalls. However, the total proposed area for the mine is slated to be 1,773 acres (including 29 outfalls – 10 of which would be upstream of the BWWB water intake). Shepherd Bend Mining, LLC, owned by members of the Drummond family, has already received a wastewater discharge permit from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) for the full 1,773-acre area. Black Warrior Riverkeeper and the Southern Environmental Law Center are challenging ADEM’s permit in court.
The Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) submitted comment letters to ADEM (December 14, 2007) and the ASMC (August 6, 2010), stating concerns with source water quality degradation, increased treatment costs, and decreased tap water quality. According to the BWWB, the location of a proposed mining operation with outfalls within 800 feet of a major municipal water supply intake is “unprecedented” and “represents an incompatible use.”
The University of Alabama System owns the majority of the land at Shepherd Bend that would be mined. They would have to lease their property to the mining company in order for the mining to occur. Feel free to share your concerns with the UA System:
The University of Alabama System
Birmingham Office
(205) 975-5566
Tuscaloosa Office
(205) 348-5861
Background information on the Shepherd Bend Mine proposal:
Click here to see a Google Map of the area.
Recap of the August 19 ASMC Public Hearing in The Birmingham News: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/08/alabama_surface_mining_commiss_1.html
University of Alabama student’s article opposing Shepherd Bend Mine in The Crimson White: http://uwire.com/2010/08/18/column-coal-mine-would-strip-university-of-its-reputation/
Shepherd Bend Mine – Application for ASMC Permit # P3945 (Must be opened via Internet Explorer)
http://surface-mining.alabama.gov/P3945/P3945Index.doc
Written Comments Received by ASMC as of 7/8/10 (Must be opened via Internet Explorer)
http://surface-mining.alabama.gov/P3945/Shepherd%20Bend%20Mine%20Comments/P3945Comments.pdf
Shepherd Bend Mine – ADEM Permit #0079162 http://www.blackwarriorriver.org/pdf/ShepherdBendADEMPermit.pdf
Birmingham Water Works Board's Mulberry Fork Water Intake across the river from the proposed mine site. Photo by Nelson Brooke.
Shepherd Bend on the Black Warrior River's Mulberry Fork. Photo by Nelson Brooke.
