Everywhere you look within 4 miles of the mine, crews are working on the cleanup, which involves 300 to 400 employees of the mining company and its contractors. A big pond full of drying sludge sits within yards of a subdivision that is under construction. Larger ponds have replaced cornfields. Big trucks and heavy equipment are causing traffic jams on the narrow roads, which were made slick by a watery coal mixture. The rumble of heavy coal trucks shakes homes day and night.
Residents have to pass a checkpoint to reach their homes.
The smell of burning diesel permeates the air. And black dust coats cars, houses, pets and people. We used to have a beautiful view right here. The Preeces are at wits' end. Their septic system is one of several the local health department says has been destroyed during the cleanup.