Lawsuit Seeks Release of Public Records for Peabody Coal Operations on Tribal Lands in Arizona
By Center for Biological Diversity
By Center for Biological Diversity
Censored News
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - October 5 - Native American and conservation groups sued the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining (OSM) in federal court in Colorado on Thursday for withholding records relating to Peabody Energy’s coal-mining operations on tribal lands in northeast Arizona. To date, the agency has refused to publicly release records relating to Peabody’s coal-mining operations — including a copy of a current, valid operating permit for Peabody’s mining. The lawsuit was brought under the Freedom of Information Act.
“For decades, OSM has quietly issued permits to Peabody in a way that has thwarted meaningful public involvement and community understanding of Peabody’s mine operations,” said Nikke Alex, executive director of the Black Mesa Water Coalition. “OSM’s permitting actions have a direct and irreparable impact on our community. These records must be released to the public.”
Peabody, the largest coal-mine operator in the world, runs the 40,000-acre Kayenta Mine and adjacent 18,000-acre Black Mesa Mine on Navajo Nation and Hopi tribal lands in northeastern Arizona. On April 9, citizens submitted a FOIA request to OSM for records related to the agency’s renewal of Peabody’s Kayenta Mine operating permit. On June 4, OSM’s office in Denver, Colorado ended the public comment period for Peabody’s renewal permit without releasing the requested records (including a copy of Peabody’s operating permit).
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http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2010/10/05-7
CONTACT: Center for Biological Diversity
Brad Bartlett, Attorney, Energy Minerals Law Center, (970) 247-9334
Wahleah Johns, Black Mesa Water Coalition, (928) 213-5909
Andy Bessler, Sierra Club, (928) 774-6103
Taylor McKinnon, Center for Biological Diversity, (928) 310-6713
1 comment:
great post . really informative.
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