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Reject SB 686 — Choose Constituents Over Coal Companies

SB 686 would allow coal companies to longwall mine with approval from ONLY 75% of the people who own the underlying surface tract. This “forced subsidence” bill would override the full consent of surface owners, harming the rights of surface owners around West Virginia.

SB 686 is up for a vote TODAY. Please contact your representatives and urge them to REJECT SB 686. Find your state senators and delegate HERE and email them to demand they protect the rights of surface owners. 

See more information from the WV Surface Owners’ Rights Organization

“Old school “room and pillar” coal mining sometimes caused subsidence damages to the surface. Longwall coal mining removes the entire coal seam and actually plans to let the mine roof and all the formations above it collapse into the void left once the coal is removed. This subsidence can crack foundations, drain drinking water tables and even ponds, break gas and water lines, and reduce property values. And it all comes crashing down, and the elevation of even the surface goes down somewhat.  

Very often longwall coal mine subsidence damages the water table so that water wells go permanently dry or are polluted.  Streams and ponds can also be affected and go dry. Here are pictures of damage to people’s homes and other building foundations.  Gas and water lines, septic systems, roads, etc. can all be affected.

The coal company has to offer to fix the problems, or pay the reduction in values, but there are limits to that.  You only get the value of your house or barn before the mining, not what it will cost you to replace it. There is no compensation for alternative housing or the hassle of dealing with the problems in the meantime, and some of the things damaged can never be repaired or restored to the state they were in prior to mining.  Some people have had to sue coal companies and WVSORO has helped with one of those lawsuits.”