What about the ODM?

The Oklahoma Department of Mines (ODM) is the state agency responsible for ensuring the reclamation of land disturbed by mining operations. The Department regulates the production of coal and non-fuel minerals. The Department is committed to protecting the rights of citizens and to promotion of mining.

The Department of Mines enforces and implements various provisions of state and federally-mandated programs in health, safety, mining and land reclamation practices associated with surface and subsurface mining.

The Department has programs to:

1. Safeguard human health and safety;
    
2. Issue permits and inspect all mining operations for land reclamation;
    
3. Minimize environmental impact to land, air and water quality;
    
4. Regulate blasting of a mine site; and
    
5. Conduct courses in first aid, mine safety and accident prevention.

The CCB Program

Reclaiming mine sites with CCB, including ash and CKD, is the primary focus of the CCB Program. Sites in this program are issued mining permits by the Minerals Division and the reclamation of such sites involves the placement of CCBs in designated portions of the site. Prior to a permit being issued all mining and reclamation applications are technically reviewed for environmental design and to ensure that the operation being proposed complies with all applicable rules and regulations protecting public health and the environment. Background information including, but not limited to, hydrologic, geologic, land use and soil data is analyzed in order to make certain that environmental balance protection is achieved. Water monitoring points are established prior to CCB placement both on and off the site at locations that will provide representative data on the environmental effects of the site. Such background information is a useful tool in environmental compliance monitoring throughout the life of the permit. Prior to a permit being issued, the operator must obtain all the required permits from other agencies with applicable jurisdiction. This may include, for example, a storm water discharge and an air quality permit.

There are currently ten sites totaling 1,357 acres of land, 1,297 acres for fly ash and 60 acres for CKD, across Oklahoma that are permitted to receive CCBs.

It is estimated that more than 500,000 cubic yards of fly ash and 300,000 cubic yards of CKD are placed on sites each year. This number is expected to increase as the CCB Program continues to develop and the benefits of utilizing CCB for reclamation purposes are further realized.

Both environmental and health and safety inspections are being conducted on all CCB permits to ensure that environmental standards and guidelines are being met and that safe practices are being followed.

One inspector conducts both inspections so to minimize departmental costs and to give the operator/owner one primary contact person at ODM. This same inspector conducts complaint investigations relating to these assigned permitted sites.

The Director or his authorized representative shall immediately order a cessation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations or of the relevant portions thereof, if he or she finds, on the basis or any violation of the Act, these Regulations, any applicable program, or any condition of an exploration approval or permit imposed under any such program, the Act, or these Regulations which: Creates an imminent danger to the health or safety of the public. - Is causing or can reasonably be expected to cause significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air, or water resources. Violation of causing out of complaince with ODM’s Coal Combustion By_Product Standards, specifically OAC 460: 30-5-8 which requires compliance with discharge standards of other enforcement agencies.

The information above is found on the ODM’s website. It is charged with the responsibility of safeguarding human health, safety and protecting public health and the environment.

Mine reclamation is the process of returning the land in a given area to some degree of its former state. Instead of filling in a strip mine pit, Making Money Having Fun, LLC has been allowed to create a mountain of fly ash holding back a slurry pit filled with fly ash and oil & gas wastewater. For 7 years Making Money Having Fun, LLC has been out of compliance with the ODEQ state and federal air quality regulations. It is now out of compliance and has been cited for a 2nd time in 4 months by the EPA for violating the federal Clean Water Act.

At what point will the ODM stop ignoring its responsibility. Although they have issued a cease and desist for the disposal of oil & gas waste water Making Money Having Fun, LLC is still allowing fugitive dust and contaminated wastewater to cross it’s property line and interfere with the use of adjacent properties. Fugitive dust & contaminated wastewater impacts the health and safety of the residents of Bokoshe, Oklahoma and the surrounding area. It also negatively effects the environment.

You have to wonder - just what are they thinking...

Fugitive Dust & Oil & Gas Waste Water Contamination Outside of MMHF LLC Property Line

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