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Committee renews Yahar Coal Mine permit for five years after neighbor complaints about hours, dust and runoff
Summary
The Natural Resources Committee approved a five-year renewal for the Yahar (Normitage) coal mine conditional-use permit while neighbors pressed the operator and staff about late-night activity, dust and erosion from prior heavy rains.
The Richland County Natural Resources Committee voted to renew the conditional-use permit for the Yahar (Normitage) coal mine for five years while hearing multiple neighbors’ complaints about noise, dust and past erosion.
The vote came after residents described vehicles and equipment arriving outside of posted hours, backup horns, and sediment leaving the site during an intense storm. Paul Ellenbrand, a nearby landowner, said the first big rain after the pit opened left “six inches of clay and dirt in the bottom of your woods,” and that he received no notice or follow-up from the operator afterward.
County staff and the mine representative told the committee the operation would keep the same conditions as the previous permit and that the operator had added erosion-control measures. The operator said sediment ponds were installed so “nothing leaves the site.” The committee and staff emphasized that the permit includes operating hours and that repeated violations could lead to enforcement steps up to revocation.
Committee members asked how violations are tracked and enforced. Staff advised residents to report incidents so the office can check hauler tickets and pursue corrective action. The committee also discussed the operator’s financial assurance for reclamation; staff said the mine must submit continuing financial assurance and that funds are returned only after proper reclamation and inspection.
Neighbors pressed for additional mitigation: tighter adherence to hours, better dust suppression and communication if an erosion or runoff event occurs. The operator offered to add recycled-asphalt surfacing at the entrance to reduce dust, and said site staff will respond to calls. The committee approved a motion to renew the permit for five years by voice vote.
The decision preserves the current permit conditions and sets a five-year timeline for the next review; residents were told to report continuing problems to county zoning staff so the office can document incidents and, if necessary, pursue enforcement or nonrenewal when the permit next comes up.
