The company that operates the Beulah coal mine will be paying $2000 in fines for a violation of mining and reclamation rules.
Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer says PSC inspectors found Dakota Westmoreland Corporation stripped topsoil from an area to be mined without first constructing the required sedimentation ponds. He says that can create a serious environmental problem – should the area get heavy rain and a lot of runoff.
Commission Chairman Brian Kalk says the company was negligent.
"One good thing -- there wasn't any damage," said Kalk. "There was the potential to cause a lot of damage, but there was no damage. Otherwise, this could have been a violation with increased fines."
Cramer agreed.
"It also speaks to how impressive the relationship is, and how well our inspectors work, and how good our program is," said Cramer. "And that's the point of good regulation, you avoid problems. You don't punish after the fact -- the point of good regulation is compliance."
Dakota Westmoreland did not contest the fine. Cramer said that's the first violation of coal mining rules in some time.
