IDNR hearing appears to have been a smokescreen
A photo taken on the afternoon of Saturday, January 4, shows logging operations in the Rocky Branch Road area.
SALINE CO.—The hearing held in December at Southeastern Illinois College on the topic of Peabody Energy closing Rocky Branch Road was apparently nothing but a smokescreen in order to give residents the appearance that their voice mattered.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources held the hearing to allow the public the opportunity to give their input on why Peabody should not be allowed to deforest and mine the Cottage Township area, but it now appears that hearing was not enough to stop the giant company from doing as they please.
Disclosure received reports that Peabody had brought in skidders to the area that will be mined near Berry Hill in Saline County a little over two weeks after the date of the hearing (December 12, 2013). When Disclosure heard this, contact was made with residents who live close to the area, and it was discovered that logging and deforesting had already begun. The problem is, according to locals who have spoken to the company and the IDNR, Peabody has not been given a permit to start such activities.
The logging was first started on December 30 near an area known as Berry Hill. The area is, according to locals of Cottage Township, about 1 mile east of Berry Hill, and a half-mile south of Highway 13. Locals have been witnessing logs being brought out by the truckload. According to witness reports, there has been no sign of Peabody slowing down or halting the work while waiting for a permit to be issued.
Locals as well as the Sierra Club had advised the IDNR that endangered species such as the Barn Owl and Rattle Snake could be found in the area that is currently being logged without a permit. Research was supposed to be conducted on the matter, but locals stated that Scott Fowler with the IDNR had made calls, inquiring about the matter, but no other studies had been conducted beyond that point.
Locals have began to speculate that Peabody may even have known the endangered species live in those woods, and may be attempting to get rid of them before they are found in an inspection.
Whatever the reason, Peabody may have deliberately stepped outside of their legal limit, as the hearings have not been finalized. Not only has the IDNR not given their consent, Saline County has yet to give their approval, and another hearing with the EPA is scheduled for February 18 at 5 p.m. The EPA hearing will be held at the Pruett Building in Harrisburg.
Witness reports also indicate that there has been no end to the illegal blasting in the mines. The mines recently let off one blast that Cottage Township residents caught sight of, and reported that the fog seemed to reach all the way to Harrisburg.
When asked what they made of all this, one concerned elderly citizen stated in a resigned voice “I just don’t know.” He reported that the mine blasts had already damaged his home once, and cost him thousands of dollars in repairs. Now, additional blasts have started to damage his home again, and he reported that he had no idea what could be done.
He stated that, when the mine had asked to purchase his home, and he refused, they told him “You’ll be sorry.” While he is glad he did not sell his home, he hates watching his home, as well ask his neighbors’ homes, be destroyed.