A citizens environmental group concerned about coal ash getting into the National Scenic Middle Fork River has scheduled a ‘People’s Hearing’ on Coal Ash next month. Eco-Justice Collaborative says the event will be held Monday, June 11th, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. at the Bremer Conference Center at Danville Area Community College.
Lan Richart, Co-Director of the not-for-profit group, says the hearing will start with a status update on the coal ash issue. It will be followed by formal testimony addressing the ecological, recreational and economic importance of the river. Eco-Justice Collaborative is concerned about plans to leave 3.3 million cubic yards of coal ash in what it says are leaking, unlined pits along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River. The group says it is hosting the ‘People’s Hearing’ because there has been no formal opportunity to voice public concerns over the proposal.
Senator Scott Bennett, Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer, and Vermilion County Board Chairman Mike Marron have agreed to serve as the hearing officers. All comments will be recorded and conveyed to the Governor and the Illinois EPA.
Both Dynegy and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency have been invited to participate in the forum.
[The photo is from Dynegy and shows some of the work the company has done to stabilize the embankment along the Middle Fork River.]
