Group Appeals IEPA Decision on Vermilion Grove Mine

First Ever Appeal of Water Pollution Permit in Illinois

Champaign, January 31, 2001:  On Wednesday, January 31st Prairie Rivers
Network appealed a water pollution permit granted to Black Beauty Coal Company
by Illinois EPA.

The appeal was filed with the Illinois Pollution Control Board and requested
that the Board review Illinois EPA’s decision to allow the proposed Vermilion
Grove Mine to be built on the banks of the Little Vermilion River, south of
Danville, Illinois. This will be the first time the Illinois Pollution Control
Board hears an appeal of a water pollution permit from a third party.

Prairie Rivers Network contends that the proposed mine could devastate the
Little Vermilion River.  The Little Vermilion is one of the highest quality
streams in the state, providing some of the last remaining habitat for three
state protected species of fish and mussels.  Just downstream is one of the
only state nature preserves dedicated to protecting aquatic habitats.  In
addition the mine also poses a grave threat to Lake Georgetown, which serves
as the drinking water supply for the village of Georgetown and is just
downstream of the mining site.

Prairie Rivers Network’s Executive Director, Robert Moore, stated, "This mine
could be disastrous for the Little Vermilion, Lake Georgetown, the protected
species, and the quality of life of those that will have to live with the
mine."

The Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest is representing Prairie
Rivers Network in the appeal.

The appeal will focus on the inadequacy of Illinois EPA’s water quality
analysis, that toxic levels of pollution will be released, and that the mine
will exacerbate existing water quality problems in the area.

"This is a serious blow to efforts throughout the state to protect our high
quality streams from pollution," said Moore.  "If they can permit something
like this on the Little Vermilion, they could allow it on any stream and in
anybody’s backyard in Illinois."

The mine has been the center of controversy for almost a year.  Black Beauty
Coal, a subsidiary of Peabody Coal and the owner of the proposed Vermilion
Grove Mine, received $700,000 from the state to develop coal resources in the
area — a decision made by Governor Ryan which did not please local residents.
Residents have repeatedly expressed concerns about the impact of the mine on
their families’ health, their drinking water, and on the river itself.

In addition to the water pollution permit issued by Illinois EPA, the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Mines and Minerals issued a mining
permit to Black Beauty.  Prairie Rivers Network requested an administrative
hearing on that decision last week.

Numerous state and local government offices, organizations, and private
citizens have voiced intense opposition to the proposed mine and have
testified to Illinois EPA and the Office of Mines and Minerals that permits
should not be issued.

For more information contact:

Robert Moore, Executive Director
Prairie Rivers Network
Office:  (217) 344-2371
Mobile:  (217) 493-7661

Albert Ettinger, Senior Attorney
Environmental Law & Policy Center of the Midwest
Office:  (312) 795-3707