Published: May 23, 2007 09:35 am         

Westernport residents air concerns over hillside strip mine proposal

WESTERNPORT - One lady called it "terrifying." Another claimed it would be "unsafe." And still several others questioned its effects on pollution, water supply and their quality of life.

Residents of Westernport packed the American Legion Victory Post 155 Tuesday to protest a proposed strip mining application to the Maryland Bureau of Mines.

Representatives from the bureau, along with a blast consultant and several state geologists, were on hand to answer questions about the application from Tri-Star Mining. The operation is proposed for a hillside above Marsh Addition.

The primary concern of the dozens of citizens that crowded in the legion hall Tuesday seemed to center on water runoff and structural damage to their homes from blasting.

Mayor Tom Smith said he's heard additional concerns about contamination of the water supply, the noise level, air pollution, decreased property values and hillside stability.

"We're charged with taking care of the town and these things have been handed to us. Can they be worked out? I certainly hope so," he said.

"If Westernport is to survive, if a permit is to be issued, we have to have these answers. We have to know what's going to happen."

The meeting continued for more than two hours as frustrated residents quizzed regulators on how additional mining would affect their town.

"Westernport gets the short end of the stick with a lot of things (like schools)," said Westernport resident and bureau secretary Barb Murphy. "That's why I think people are so sensitive."

Bureau of Mines Director John Carey advised that Tuesday's proceeding was an informal meeting and residents can request a formal hearing to submit testimony later in the permit reviewing process. He also said the permit is "in the very early stages" of review, but warned he has to approve the application if it meets all the regulations.

If a permit is issued, Carey said the land would be reclaimed after it was stripped as miners move along the mountain.

"I've been around long enough to know you have problems down here," he added. "You certainly don't need any more."

Many people expressed concern about blasting and whether their homes would sustain damage as the miners blast away the hard sandstone covering the coal.

Carey said a pre-blasting survey is available to all residents who live within one-half mile of the permit area.

"If you think you've received any blasting damage ... we'll come out and evaluate it," he said. "Maybe it doesn't meet all your expectations but it is some protection."

He later added that the bureau measures the weight of concerns when deciding whether to issue a permit.

He said some of the concerns the bureau will consider include the effects mining could have on any sewer sludge in the area and if a requested hearing on the proposal could be moved to Westernport from the bureau's office in Frostburg.

When asked whether residents could monitor the mining's process if the permit is issued, Carey recommended periodically checking Google Earth's satellite photos using the area's latitude and longitude measurements.

Smith said many town residents have been close to tears over the proposal and added the town has worked hard "getting where we are today."

He said the proposal and the concerns of his residents are "not something frivolous."

"When those miners quit and go home in the evening, you are home."

Tai Shadrick can be reached at tshadrick@times-news.com.