The leadership of a community built more than eight decades ago solely for the production of coal is urging its neighbors to take action against proposed mining operations they fear could cause substantial harm to the area and its residents.

After several weeks of gathering information, seeking legal advice and contacting mining officials in an attempt to learn more about Harlan Reclamation Services LLC's proposed mining in Lynch and how to prevent it, the Lynch City Council conducted a public meeting Monday at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in Cumberland to share that information and encourage Tri-City residents to join efforts in halting the possibility of impactful mining operations.

City leaders are concerned that possible subsidence from the removal of coal beneath Lynch could result in significant damages to utilities that consist of “a city water reservoir, associated tanks, piping, sewer facilities and public streets,” as stated in a recent letter to the Division of Mine Permits, a department within the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet in Frankfort.

Tri-City residents were informed at Monday's meeting that Harlan Reclamation Services LLC, an affiliate of Black Mountain Resources, has submitted additional modifications to an amendment for a permit application in response to objections to mine beneath homes and other structures in Lynch.

“Really, it took in most of the town,” said Lynch City Council member Anne Carr. Streets and structures that would have been affected under the original application included Liberty and Church streets and the vacant Appalachian Regional Healthcare clinic that is being considered for renovations that could deem it a community staple.

“They've also changed the point of entry,” Carr said, explaining the company was considering Gap Branch in Lynch as the initial point of entry. “They said that that is out.”

Harlan Reclamation Services LLC is now considering the North Winifred Mine in Lynch as a point of entry for the mining, Carr said. Another possible entry point is near Black Mountain Resources' “guest house” just before the Lynch Country Club, she said.

The company has already received a permit to mine from Stillhouse Mining in Cloverlick to Benham, and is resubmitting its application with the modifications requesting that operations extend on from Benham to Lynch and Collier's Creek in Letcher County, Carr said.

While the mining has been diverted from most of the homes in Lynch, Carr and other council members still have concerns about operations remaining too close to the homes, as well as Looney Creek and KY 160 in Lynch.

“This is the creek. This is the road. It's not that far away,” she said, referring to a map detailing mining locations.

City council members are concerned that operations could disrupt water and sewage services in Lynch and Benham, and ultimately have a damaging effect on Cumberland.

“Obviously, if people cannot live in Lynch and in Benham, then Cumberland is going to lose their economic base,” Carr said.

But Cumberland's water lines could also be affected by permits for mining operations in Blair and Eolia, she said.

Carr said another appeal will be filed when Harlan Reclamation Services LLC's second amendment is published in the Enterprise. By law, mining companies are required to publish four times an intent to mine. The public has 30 days to comment on or appeal the proposal.

“Read the newspaper. Read those permits. Try to understand exactly where the mine openings are, what areas are included in the permit and keep up with future meetings so we can share information,” Carr said. Another public meeting will be held when the council receives more information, she said.

Lynch resident Hal Woods, a former coal miner, said he believes there are “other ways” to get to the county's coal.

“You're looking at two towns here you could destroy - I ain't got no where to go and I'm sure they're people here who are a lot older than me, and we couldn't just pick up and leave because we ain't' got no water. I don't think it's worth the risk.

“I think if there are other ways they can get to this coal, they ought to look at it. These mountains are full of coal,” Woods said.

In a recent interview with the Enterprise, Richard Matda, a project engineer for Black Mountain Resources, said Harlan Reclamation Services LLC's mining plan is “very fluid.”

“It changes from time to time. We do not propose to do any secondary mining (under the reservoir). The last thing we want to happen is for water to break in on us,” Matda said, adding that the company would work to minimize the structures it would “cross under” during operations.

“I can certainly understand them being concerned about potential effects they could see based on coal mining,” Matda said.

Matda said he understands the concerns of city officials and residents, but said there is “a lot of coal to be mined” in Lynch. And the company would perform its mining “in the most effective way possible” and “minimize any type of collateral effects,” he said.

“We are in the review process - we have a long way to go. We are continuously re-evaluating our plans,” he said.

Lynch Mayor Tom Vicini, also a former coal miner, has said he doesn't object to mining coal. But Lynch's situation is rare, considering the city's age and infrastructure, he explained.

“Our reservoir is unique. It's probably not like anybody else' anywhere. It's not built to withstand a lot of subsidence or any kind of disruption, and just a crack in it could put an end to our water system,” he said.

The Division of Mine Permits has granted the city a hearing, which would include participation from officials representing the state, Black Mountain Resources and the Tri-Cities. The council has requested the hearing take place at SKCTC in Cumberland. There has been no word yet on a time and date for the hearing.

The permit number for Harlan Reclamation Services LLC's application to mine is 848-5411.