(Birmingham, AL) WIAT-
"Clean water is such an important thing because water is just a basic human right. Everyone has access to water here and it should be clean," said Lauren Bridgeman, UAB Sophomore. In a their comments to the Alabama Surface Mining Commission the Birmingham Water Works Board said the proposed Shepherd's Bend Mine would be too close to a drinking water intake on the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River. In that letter the water board said approving the permit could harm the quality of drinking water for their customers. They've asked the Alabama Surface Mining Commission to deny the permit application. If it is approved the mine operator would still need to secure leases from the University of Alabama System which owns some of the property in question. Today students gathered on UAB's campus to try and keep that from happening.
"We would like a statement from them to say that they will not lease this land to mine for coal regardless of what happens so, basically it's asking them to side with the students.,” said UAB student and event organizer Adelaide Abele.
In the past the University of Alabama System has reportedly looked into leasing the land. This afternoon students involved with the Green Initiative and the Coalition of Alabama Students for the environment handed more than seven hundred signatures from people opposed to the mine to UA System Spokesperson Kellee Reinhart.
“Three years ago when we were really facing a catastrophic situation....were looking at where is every nickel going to come from to keep these institutions going. So I would say that if there was that conversation back then, it was ..it had to do with resources and how best to use them," said Reinhart.
Reinhart, who is the Vice Chancellor for System Relations said that no one has approached the board regarding any land leases in Walker County and that no decision is pending.
"The University of Alabama has..is not in discussions about any kind of lease in Walker County and frankly there's really been nothing addressing that issue since about 2007. So I think those are the main things that I wanted to be sure everybody understood. Now, that said, it's great to see so many people interested in the environment. We're delighted that our students are engaging us in this and letting their voices be heard, so that's the other reason I’m here,” said Reinhart.
Alabama Surface Mining Commission Director Randall Johnson says it is not unusual for a company to request a mining permit before they secure leases or ownership of the property involved. Johnson says a decision on the permit application will probably happen next month.
The University of Alabama Student Environmental Council is planning another rally this Thursday from 4:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. outside the Moody Music Building which is located near the intersection of Second Avenue and University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa.
UA System Trustees will be meeting this Thursday and Friday, but Reinhart says there is nothing on the agenda about the Shepherd Bend mine land situation.
