Area environmentalists are celebrating a win against a proposed coal strip mine near Canton Lake.
Canton Area Citizens for Environmental Issues, Canton Lake and Its Watershed as well as the Heart of Illinois Sierra Club have been fighting against the North Canton Mine’s permit for the last eight years.
Capital Resources Development last week in Fulton County Circuit Court withdrew its mining permit issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The local Sierra Club’s, Joyce Blumenshine, says the permit withdrawal is unprecedented.
“It’s a huge encouragement to citizens that they can confront the deep, deep pockets of big coal. You cannot rely on your state agencies. You have to be vigilant to protect your own community.”
The Canton citizens group and Sierra Club worried coal mining near Canton Lake could damage the water supply to more than 20,000 residents.
Capital Resources Development will have to start the permit process over again if it wants to utilize the site.