The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold public hearings concerning coal mining discharge permits.

According to information available from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will hold six public hearings throughout the Appalachian region Oct. 13th through 15th, to seek public comments on two proposals related to the use of Nationwide Permit 21 (NWP 21).

NWP 21 authorizes discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States for surface coal mining activities. The two proposals seek to suspend or prohibit the use of NWP 21 in the Appalachian region.

In Virginia, The Corps’ Norfolk District will conduct its public hearing 7 p.m., Oct. 15th, at the Mountain Empire Community College (Goodloe Center) in Big Stone Gap, Va. Registration starts at 6 p.m.