Residents fighting Illinois mine water pumping proposal

JOHNSTON CITY, Ill. -- Some residents and environmental groups are fighting a coal company's plan to discharge waste water from a Southern Illinois mine into the Big Muddy River.

The application from St. Louis-based Foresight Energy seeks permission from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to discharge up to 3.5 million gallons of water a day into the river from its Pond Creek Mine near Johnston City in Williamson County.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reported the company said it needs to pump out groundwater seeping into the mine that poses a danger to workers. The water has elevated levels of chlorides and sulfates that could be toxic to aquatic life.

Joyce Blumenshine of the Illinois Sierra Club said the request is beyond typical discharges into the river.

Information from: Southern Illinoisan, http://www.southernillinoisan.com