Can Coal Trucks Cruise National Forest Roads? Public Decides
Published Date: 3/20/2025
Notice
Summary
The Office of Surface Mining is asking the public if South Fork Coal Company can keep using a 1.2-mile stretch of a Forest Service road inside Monongahela National Forest to access their coal mine on private land. People have until April 21, 2025, to share their thoughts. This decision affects local mining operations and how the road is used, but it won’t cost taxpayers money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Coal company seeks road access rights
South Fork Coal Company (SFCC) asked the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement to determine whether it has valid existing rights to use the northern 1.2-mile portion of Forest Service Road 249 inside Monongahela National Forest as an access and haul road for its Rocky Run Surface Coal Mine on privately owned land. The request was submitted September 18, 2024 and relies on the Federal VER definition at 30 CFR 761.5(c)(1) or (c)(2).
Existing Forest Service permit noted
The U.S. Forest Service issued SFCC a special use permit (Permit No. FS-7700-41) on September 29, 2021 authorizing use of Forest Service Road 249 as a coal access and haul road. The permit is part of the administrative record being considered for the VER determination.
Agency says no taxpayer cost
The notice states that the VER determination process and the request for use of Forest Service Road 249 will affect local mining operations and road use, but that the decision will not cost taxpayers money. The public may comment on the request through 4 p.m. eastern time on April 21, 2025.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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