Folks get to the bottom of chromite project

COOS BAY, Ore., Apr. 20, 2010 - Oregon Resources Corp. is currently working on leasing private land for it's chromite mines and Coos County Residents want to make sure that these permits are protecting the public.
Up for discussion is the land at Weyerhaeuser and a portion of Kimberly Clark Corp. land, but Coos County Commissioners called a meeting Monday night to allow the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), to explain the permitting and monitoring process.
Of the fifty plus folks in attendance, many of them Bandon residents living near the suggested mining site on Seven Devils Road, wanted to know how this would affect their homes.
"I'm curious about the home owner's wells," said one man out of Bandon. "Will there be any impact on water quality or availability of water?"
DOGAMI Assistant Director, Gary Lynch says owners wells can vary for a multiple of reasons, but that's why they're there to keep data.
"That's the importance of making sure you're sampling and integrating all that's going on," said Lynch.
He adds that this type of mining isn't much different than a rock and gravel job. But a couple citizens in attendance were concerned about over-site.
"So we have a little bit of weariness here, even though they get a permit, who's watching," asked concerned citizen, Jody McCaffree.
"I believe there are ways that should something go arye, it can be fixed," replied Lynch. "And if it can't be fixed by the company, then the ultimate protection is the bond that allows the site to be reclaimed by the agency."
The DOGAMI bond is currently set at $125,000 but will increase with production. Lynch adds that DOGAMI is just one of many Government Agencies over-seeing this project. The DEQ is expected to reopen its public comment portion concerning storm water, within the next week.