Notice is hereby given that the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) will hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 24, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., at the Cordova Town Hall located at 3885 North Mass Avenue, Cordova, Alabama 35550, concerning a wastewater discharge permit application from Reed Minerals, Inc., Post Office Box 2420, Jasper, Alabama 35502, for a proposed coal mine, with associated processing equipment. The proposed site location is in Walker County, southeast of Cordova, on Plywood Plant Road, approximately two miles from the intersection of Horse Creek Boulevard and Armory Avenue.

Reed Minerals, Inc. has applied for issuance of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, proposed NPDES AL0079936, for proposed discharges of treated drainage from a new source coal mine and associated areas to Mulberry Fork classified as Fish and Wildlife and Public Water Supply and Unnamed Tributaries to Mulberry Fork classified as Fish and Wildlife, all located in the Black Warrior River Basin. The Department has tentatively determined that the proposed actions described in this notice are consistent with the Water Quality Rules including the Department’s Anti-degradation Rules.

Copies of the complete project file are available for public inspection electronically via http://www.adem.alabama.gov/PublicNotice/PublicNotice.htm, and at the following location Monday-Friday, except legal holidays, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A nominal fee for copying and /or mailing may be charged. Arrangements for copying should be made in advance.

The purpose of the public hearing will be for interested parties to make oral and written comments into the official hearing record. Those wishing to make oral comments at the public hearing are also encouraged to submit those comments in writing.

Any person wishing to participate in this hearing who needs special accommodations should contact the ADEM Permits and Services Division at (334) 271-7714 at least three working days prior to the hearing.

Attendance at the public hearing is not necessary in order to have comments included in the official administrative record. Written comments received prior to the close of the public comment period will also be considered and entered into the hearing record. Written comments should be submitted to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Attention: Mr. Russell A. Kelly, at the above Montgomery address.

All comments must address issues that have an impact on the applicant’s ability to meet applicable environmental laws, rules, and regulations to affect the final permit decision.

After consideration of all written comments, review of the public hearing record, and pursuant to the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and applicable regulations, the Department will make a final determination. The Department develops responses to comments which will become part of the public record and will be available to persons upon request.

The Department maintains a list of interested individuals, who are mailed legal notices regarding proposed permits. If you wish to receive such notices, contact the Permits and Services Division via telephone (334-271-7714), e-mail (permitsmail@adem.state.al.us), or postal service (P. O. Box 301463, Montgomery, AL 36130-1463).

This notice is hereby given on April 19, 2012, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.