Groups Threaten to Sue Hobet Mining For Alleged Water Violations in West Virginia

If a subsidiary of Patriot Coal doesn’t resolve “multiple ongoing” water quality violations at a West Virginia mountaintop mining operation it owns within 60 days, three environmental advocacy groups intend to sue the company.

The Sierra Club, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy said Dec. 11 they have notified Hobet Mining LLC that they plan to file a citizen lawsuit, as allowed under Section 505(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act.

In their “notice of intent” letter, the groups allege that Hobet has violated, and continues to violate, the act’s effluent standards by failing to comply ...