An alliance of environmental groups says the federal government violated the Endangered Species Act in granting mining permits at two East Tennessee mines. The lawsuit claims the Office of Surface Mining and the US Fish and Wildlife Service did not consult the most current scientific research in considering the impact of surface mines at Zeb Mountain and David Creek on fish. The suit claims dissolved minerals in wastewater are increasing salt in streams to unendurable levels, threatening the endangered blackside dace and Cumberland darter.
Two East Tennessee Mines Subject of Environmental Lawsuit
Southwings
