Logan County Board approves Elkhart mine expansion
LINCOLN - Logan County leaders have approved rezoning farmland so that it can become an expanded coal-waste storage site.
The Logan County Board voted 10-1 on Tuesday night on the zoning request for the Viper Mine in Elkhart. St. Louis-based Arch Coal, which runs Viper Mine, had said it would close the operation if the rezoning of about 300 acres wasn't approved. Mine officials said they needed to expand because the existing storage site is close to capacity.
"I'm pleased the members came to the consensus that we need the jobs, we need the mine for growth in the vicinity," said Erwin Sass, president of the Viper Mine.
The rezoning efforts had many opponents who wanted the mine to stay open but were worried about the environmental and health repercussions of the proposed storage site. Daniel Hamilton, an attorney representing a group of local landowners urged the board not to pass the rezoning because the site is near the village's water supply.
"The purpose of (the county's zoning ordinance) is to protect the health, safety and welfare . of the people of Logan County. We've heard testimony throughout this process that this might be unsafe. If it might be unsafe, it's contrary to the health, safety and welfare of the people of Logan County," Hamilton said.
The Elkhart Village Board opposed the project because of its proximity to the water supply and had previously passed a resolution in protest.
"The village water supply, its well, is within about 20 feet of the property owned by the coal mine," said Dave Behle, an attorney representing the Elkhart Village Board. "The village board believes that allowing the expansion of this coal mine will detrimentally harm the future use of that well and water for the community."
Logan County State's Attorney Jonathan Wright contacted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources last month to see if the project could negatively impact the surrounding environment. He later received a letter indicating it probably wouldn't jeopardize endangered species or natural areas.
"The department has evaluated this information and concluded that adverse effects are unlikely," the letter reads.
Mine officials have said they will follow all environmental regulations.
The Logan County Zoning Board of Appeals voted in September not to recommend the Viper proposal, bringing the decision to the full county board. The Logan County Board held two public meetings last month before it voted on the rezoning.