Description:

PUBLIC NOTICE

 

Pursuant to the PENNSYLVANIA CLEAN STREAMS LAW, the PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Rules and Regulations, the SURFACE MINING CONSERVATION and RECLAMATION ACT, and the BITUMINOUS MINE SUBSIDENCE and LAND CONSERVATION ACT as amended, notice is hereby given that LCT Energy, LP, doing business at 938 Mt. Airy Drive, Suite 200, Johnstown, PA 15904, has made application to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for a new underground Coal Mining Activity Permit (CMAP #65221302) related NPDES Permit (No. PA 0236641) and request for a new blasting plan.

 

The proposed Rustic Ridge II Deep Mine will consist of approximately 2,322.6 acres in the underground permit area. The proposed subsidence control plan area will consist of approximately 2,322.6 acres. The underground permit area is located in Mount Pleasant Township and Donegal Township, Westmoreland County within the four corners described as follows: The southernmost point(Lat: 40°06’57.9, Lon: 79° 24’ 28.6”) is approximately 360 feet west of the intersection of Crestview Drive and Cummings Road, then continuing generally northwest then north to the westernmost point (Lat: 40°07’20.9, Lon: 79° 25’ 07.6”) which is located approximately 1,757 feet southwest of the intersection of Keyser Road and SR-31, then continuing generally northeast to the northernmost point (Lat: 40°10’10.9, Lon: 79° 22’ 14.6”) which is located approximately 1,640 feet southwest of the intersection of Austin Boulevard and SR-130, then continuing generally southeast to the easternmost point (40°09’58.6, Lon: 79° 22’ 03.0”) which is located approximately 2,522 feet south of the intersection of Austin Boulevard and SR-130 ,then continuing generally southwest back to the southernmost point. The subsidence control plan area is identical to the underground permit area described above. The surface activity site boundary will include approximately 64.6 acres which is located in Mount Pleasant Township and Donegal Township, Westmoreland County within the four corners described as follows: The southernmost point (Lat: 40°08’34.6, Lon: 79° 24’ 33.7”)is approximately 702 feet southeast of the intersection of Keyser Road and Claypike Road, then continuing generally north then west then north along Claypike road to The westernmost point (Lat: 40°08’42.9, Lon: 79° 24’ 41.2”)which is approximately 334 feet northwest of the intersection of Keyser Road and Claypike Road, then continuing generally northeast to The northernmost point(Lat: 40°08’59.3, Lon: 79° 24’ 12.9”) which is approximately 2,859 feet northeast of the intersection of Keyser Road and Claypike Road, then continuing generally southeast to the easternmost point(Lat: 40°08’42.9, Lon: 79° 24’ 41.2”) which is located approximately 3,050 feet northeast of the intersection of Keyser Road and Claypike Road, then generally southwest to the southernmost point. The surface permit boundary can be found on the Mammoth, PA U.S.G.S., 7.5-minute topographic maps. The entrance to the surface activity site is located at a point approximately 260 feet north along SR-2025 (Claypike Road) from the intersection of Claypike Road and Keyser Road.

 

The operation includes three NPDES discharge points that will discharge to Trib #37998 to Jacobs Creek, and one NPDES discharge point that will discharge to Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek. The discharge points are located as follows: Outfall 001 (Lat: 40°08’49.4”; Lon: 79° 24’ 35.2”) is located approximately 760 feet northeast from the point where Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek passes beneath SR-2025 and will discharge treated surface runoff to Trib #37998 to Jacobs Creek. Outfall 002 (Lat: 40°08’51.8”; Lon: 79° 24’ 32.5”) is located approximately 1,070 feet northeast from the point where Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek passes beneath SR-2025 and will discharge treated mine drainage to Trib #37998 to Jacobs Creek. Outfall 003 (Lat: 40°08’45.48”; Lon: 79° 24’ 40.18”) is located approximately 223 feet northeast from the point where Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek passes beneath Claypike Road and will discharge water to Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek.

 

This application includes a request for a new blasting plan.

 

The application includes a request for variance for activities within 100’ of streams as listed below:

 

 

UNT #5 to Trib #37998 to Jacobs Creek: Beginning approximately 2,335 feet northeast of where Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek flows beneath Claypike Road. The variance continues downstream for approximately 415 feet and includes construction of an access road for the treatment ponds and a culvert for diversion waters. The total variance area is approximately 1.11 acres.

 

UNT #4 to Trib #37998 to Jacobs Creek: Beginning approximately 1,750 feet northeast of where Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek flows beneath Claypike Road. The variance area continues downstream for approximately 238 feet and includes construction stormwater ditches, parking/laydown area, and a sedimentation trap. The total variance area is approximately 0.69 acres.

 

UNT #3 to Trib #37998 to Jacobs Creek: Beginning approximately 1,635 feet northeast of where Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek flows beneath Claypike Road. The variance continues downstream for approximately 580 feet and includes construction of access/haul roads, stormwater ditches, and parking/laydown area, and on lot sewage treatment facility. The total variance area is approximately 2.10 acres. The headwaters of UNT #3 are proposed to be enclosed starting at the headwaters and continuing downstream for an approximate distance of 225 feet in order to grade the site as necessary for operations.

 

Trib #37998 to Jacobs Creek: Beginning approximately 1,340 feet northeast of where Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek flows beneath Claypike Road. The variance continues downstream for approximately 120 feet and is for the construction of a sedimentation trap and treatment pond discharge pipe and outfall structure. The total variance area is approximately 0.21 acres.

 

Trib #37998 to Jacobs Creek: Beginning approximately 1,025 feet northeast of where Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek flows beneath Claypike Road. The variance continues downstream for approximately 295 feet and is for the construction of a sedimentation pond. The total variance area is approximately 0.31 acres.

 

UNT #2 to Trib #37998 to Jacobs Creek: Beginning approximately 1,175 feet northeast of where Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek flows beneath Claypike Road. This variance is for both the drainage courses flowing into the tributary as well as the unnamed tributary itself. The variance continues downstream for approximately 788 feet and includes construction of multiple access/haul roads, stormwater ditches, raw coal pad, and a sedimentation pond and associated NPDES outfall structure. The total variance area is approximately 3.26 acres. The headwaters of UNT #2 are proposed to be enclosed starting at the headwaters and continuing downstream for an approximate distance of 576 feet in order to grade the site as necessary for operations.

 

UNT #1 to Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek: Beginning approximately 1,193 feet southeast of where Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek flows beneath Claypike Road. The variance continues downstream for approximately 1,055 feet and includes construction of access/haul roads, stormwater ditches, raw coal pad, and spoil storage area. The total variance area is approximately 4.99 acres. The headwaters of the North Branch UNT #1 are proposed to be enclosed beginning at the headwaters and continuing downstream for approximately 352 feet in order to grade the site as necessary for operations. All the stream enclosure areas proposed are necessary in order to grade the site as necessary for operations. A portion of the South Branch UNT #1 is proposed to be enclosed beginning at a point approximately 246 feet downstream of the headwaters and continuing downstream for approximately 621 feet in order to grade the site as necessary for operations.

 

Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek: Beginning approximately 231 feet northeast of where Trib 37997 to Jacobs Creek flows beneath Claypike Road. The variance continues downstream approximately 24 feet and is for the construction of a sedimentation trap. The total variance area is approximately 0.08 acres.

 

Trib #37997 to Jacobs Creek: Beginning approximately 79 feet northeast of where Trib 37997 to Jacobs Creek flows beneath Claypike Road. The variance continues downstream approximately 53 feet and is for the construction of a sedimentation trap and the construction of a diversion ditch. The total variance area is approximately 0.02 acres.

 

The application includes a request for variance for activities within 100’ of the right of way for Claypike Road (SR-2025) beginning at the point approximately 62 feet south of where Trib #37998 flows beneath Claypike road, and continuing south along the northeast side of Claypike Road for approximately 608 feet. The activities will include the construction of a haul road entrance, diversion ditching, culverts, and earthwork outside of the right of way.

 

A copy of the application is available for public inspection and copying for a fee, by appointment, at the Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds, 40 N Pennsylvania Ave, Ste 420, Greensburg, PA 15601. Written comments, objections, or a request for a public hearing or informal conference may be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection, California District Mining Office, 25 Technology Drive, California Technology Park, Coal Center, PA 15423, no later than 30 days following the final (4th) publication of this notice and must include the person’s name, address, telephone number, and a brief statement as to the nature of the objection(s).

374463 (5/30/25, 6/06, 13, 20/25)

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