Company proposes underground limestone mine in Washington County

A Clarion County company is hoping to expand its limestone mining operations in Washington County.

A public meeting will be held Wednesday night to discuss a proposal for the underground facility.

The 336.7-acre mine, proposed by Neiswonger Construction Inc., would be dug beneath the Maggie Lynn Quarry that the company already operates along Morey Road in Deemston. Maggie Lynn is one of six quarries the company has in Western Pennsylvania.

Neiswonger plans for the site to discharge treated water into Tenmile Creek, which is classified as a trout-stocked fishery within the Monongahela River Watershed. The site also is within a half-mile of East Bethlehem Township, which is designated as an environmental justice area.

The designation requires the state Department of Environmental Protection to do enhanced public outreach, including having additional staff on site to meet with stakeholders and residents, the agency said.

Neiswonger’s plan includes expanding the existing surface mine pits and constructing entries for underground mining by room-and-pillar method as part of its operations to mine and process the limestone. The limestone reserves are estimated to be 30 to 35 years, according to a permit application filed with the DEP.

Once the area is mined, the underground facilities will be converted to a storage operation, the application said.

In addition to mining, Neiswonger specializes in providing services to the oil and gas industry, such as well-pad development and maintenance, as well as snow-plowing services.

Neiswonger did not return a message for comment Tuesday.

The public meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Deemston Borough Municipal Building at 1622 Morey Road. For more information, visit the DEP’s Maggie Lynn Mine community page.