from Sunday Herald, 08 December 2013
The European Commission is investigating a complaint about the failure to restore two opencast coal mines in East Ayrshire, and the damage they have caused to the environment.
Old mines at Powharnel and Grievehill were abandoned by coal companies when they went bust this year, leaving ugly bings, gaping holes and a partially wrecked wildlife protection area.
But the sums of money put aside for restoration and mitigation by Scottish Coal and ATH Resources in insurance bonds have turned out to be totally inadequate. According to East Ayrshire Council, only £3.5m is available for tasks that will actually cost over £26m.
Greta Roberts from the Mining and Environment Group Ayrshire (MEGA) has lodged a formal complaint with Brussels. She says that over 100 hectares of an area protected under European law because of its importance for hen harriers and other birds of prey has been damaged.
She fears a “quick fix” solution by a “desperate” council. “Even if voids could be drained and filled in and contours rounded off, little more could be afforded to properly restore drainage and habitats,” she told the Sunday Herald.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is also concerned about the loss of wildlife habitat at Powharnel and Grievehill. “Unless action is taken this will leave a legacy of environmental degradation that will be bad for wildlife and for people,” warned Zoe Clelland, RSPB Scotland’s local conservation officer.
The European Commission confirmed that the complaint was being “considered”. East Ayrshire Council said that it would co-operate with any inquiry.
There is a related story here.
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