In an effort to inform residents and city leaders in the Tri-Cities of potential hazards that could result from possible underground mining operations, city officials in Lynch have announced a public meeting for July 31 at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in Cumberland.

Lynch officials have been collecting information and resources in an attempt to prevent Harlan Reclamation Services LLC's intent to mine beneath the city between Looney Ridge and Benham Spur in a proposal to add 4,845 acres to an existing underground mine, according to the state's Division of Mine Permits, a department within the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet in Frankfort.

But Lynch officials are arguing that substantial hazards could be imposed on its utilities and residents.

In a letter recently submitted to the Division of Mine Permits, city officials said “any cracks from the removal of coal underneath the city of Lynch” could result in significant damages to utilities that consist of “a city water reservoir, associated tanks, piping, sewer facilities and public streets.”

Mayor Tom Vicini has said the city's water reservoir is located underground and has not been constructed for mining operations. That means if subsidence or cracks should develop within the reservoir, tanks or distribution system, the city could be without a public water supply or other utilities for an extended period of time.

The city has been granted a hearing in the matter, which the council is requesting take place at SKCTC in Cumberland. Harlan Reclamation Services LLC has not yet received a permit for the operation.

At a special meeting of the Lynch City Council on Thursday, council member Anne Carr said formal letters of the July 31 meeting at the college will be mailed to the mayors and council members in Benham and Cumberland because the proposed mining could affect the two cities as well.

“We could create a home page on the Web specifically about this for Lynch and how it concerns us, but it very much involves them, too,” Carr said.

Council member Bob Collier said the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet has responded to a petition submitted by the city.

“They said they will take that into consideration,” he said.

Collier also reported that action is being taken to solicit funds that will assist with attorney fees and other expenses that may be incurred by the city in its efforts to prevent the mining.

“We have to get a federal ID if we go this route