20080868 Ver 2_Emails_20081216

idea re mining through SNHA
Subject: idea re mining through SNHA
From: "Heather" <rverkeeper@ptr£org>
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:38:42 -0500
To: "'John Domey"' <[e-mail]>
CC: "Geoff Gisler" <[e-mail]>
John,
After talking this morning with you and then Geoff, we had a thought.
If the Division is considering an impact to the area within the SNHA designation, the Division would be ultimately
responsible to limit that impact to the maximum extent practicable. If the price tag of constructing ramps and
moving the equipment up to ground level and through the hardwood flat is deemed to be prohibitive, then
perhaps the company can use the Bucket Wheel excavator to continue with the bench and allow the equipment
to move through that way. We're obviously not mining experts, but we believe it is possible to limit the spatial
impact (the BWE wouldn't cause as much lateral damage as mining along with utility corridors would) and you
would also be able to move the topsoil from the mining edge to behind the equipment which would result in
much faster reclamation.
I would, however, still argue with you that a claimed $6 million dollar expense for moving the equipment vs.
mining is not a prohibitive cost in light of the overall cost of the project. Plus, this would be a known cost that the
company can plan for-a cost that wouldn't occur for 10+years. I think whatever economic argument they make
needs to be evaluated in the context of the entire project-in Net present value terms.
Just some thoughts.
Thank you,
Heather Jacobs Deck
Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper
Pamlico-Tar River Foundation
Phone: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.ptrf.org
Waterkeeper Alliance Member
I of 1 12/16/2008 4:45 PM