MARSHALL COUNTY, W.Va. — Residents living near the Cunningham Hollow Coal Slurry Impoundment are calling for greater oversight and communication as the approximately 200-acre site continues to expand.
Several people in the Mt. Olivet community say activity at the site has changed their daily lives through increased noise, dust and alterations to the surrounding landscape.
Tom and Patty Joseph have lived near the impoundment for nearly 40 years. They say black dust now regularly collects on their home, railings, gutters and swimming pool, requiring frequent cleaning. Tom Joseph also said noise from the site sometimes prevents him from enjoying time outside his home.
Patty Joseph said she has developed asthma and worries about the air her grandchildren may be exposed to when they visit. No evidence was provided establishing that the condition was caused by the facility.
Other families in the area have raised similar concerns. Andy Goldbaugh said residents have received limited information about air quality outside the boundaries of the property, leaving some parents uncertain about allowing their children to remain outdoors for extended periods.
According to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, a coal impoundment is an engineered facility designed to hold water and waste produced during coal processing. Coal waste can contain substances including arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium.
The Cunningham Hollow facility is operated by Ohio County Coal Resources and owned by American Consolidated Natural Resources, or ACNR. The DEP said it and the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration regularly inspect the property for compliance with applicable environmental and dam-safety requirements.
Residents recently met with company representatives and learned that the impoundment is expected to grow significantly. They are asking state lawmakers and regulatory agencies to include nearby communities in future discussions about the site.
Community members emphasized that they are not opposed to the coal industry and recognize its economic importance to West Virginia. However, they want additional information about potential effects on air quality, water, noise levels and property values.
Ron Klug, who lives less than a mile from the site, said the nearby impoundment has discouraged prospective buyers interested in purchasing his greenhouse property. The DEP said property-value concerns fall outside its regulatory authority, which is focused on whether the permitted mining operation complies with environmental and mining regulations.
Concerns about water quality increased after the operator was cited by the DEP for runoff that left the permitted area during a rainstorm. Klug said his well water developed an unpleasant odor earlier this year.
The DEP collected a sample from his property in June. Klug said testing later showed contamination, but he has not publicly released the results, making it unclear what contaminants were detected or whether they were connected to the impoundment.
Residents report some improvements following their meeting with the company, including the increased use of water trucks to control dust. They said company representatives also agreed to consider additional steps to reduce nighttime noise.
ACNR had not provided a response to the original report. Residents plan to invite company representatives to another community meeting as they seek continued communication about the facility’s future.
