The following letter was forwarded to the Voice editor by Bob Gates, a WVHC director and one of the letter recipients. In the past, sinkholes and caves have been used as dumping grounds for trash, hazardous waste, sewage and other forms of pollution.
People then use underground water supplies as a source for drinking water.
However, to be brief, Greer Lime Company is applying for a permit to expand their quarry operations in the direction of Hellhole. The West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection s public comment period ends on October 28, 2000. The public should be concerned as Hellhole is a hibernation site for approximately 100,000 bats, including two species that are endangered and thus, federally protected. It also provides habitat for 2 rare species of cave millipedes. Hellhole is a haven for this many bats for a couple of reasons.