HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — A federal judge says he won’t block a Clean Water Act permit for a Logan County coal mine while environmentalists appeal it to a higher court.
U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers ruled Thursday that the appeal to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals isn’t likely to succeed.
However, Chambers continued a stay on the permit for 14 days so the plaintiffs can ask the appeals court for relief.
The Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and others had challenged the permit for Virginia-based Alpha Natural Resources’ Highland Reylas surface mine.
In August, Chambers ruled in favor of Alpha and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The plaintiffs sought an injunction blocking the permit while they appeal, saying mining activities would cause irreparable harm.
The Charleston Gazette first reported Chambers’ ruling.
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