FROSTBURG — More than 50 people, including representatives of the Maryland Bureau of Mines, attended a public hearing on the proposed deep mine in the Casselman River Basin near Grantsville, some expressing support and more voicing their concerns.

“I just love the beauty of Garrett County,” said Grantsville area resident John Neubert at Thursday’s hearing at the Bureau of Mines office in the Frostburg Armory. “When I moved to Garrett County, I thought this was a smart economy. I’m very against this. I think it’s the wrong way to go.”

The proposed mine is anticipated to produce 360,000 tons of coal per year during a 20-year life span. The mine would operate with more than 3,000 acres below ground and only 28 above. It would cross under both the South and North branches of the Casselman River, with tunnels just wide enough for equipment and crews, leaving columns of coal for support.

It could also go as far as 800 feet in depth and 250 feet beneath the river.

This brought up the issue of water quality, which for many people in attendance was a top concern. Some asked the Bureau of Mines officials to consider what sort of drinking water and other water for their households would be available if the mine is put into place, as several have wells at the level of the proposed mining operation.

Others were concerned for the sake of the wildlife and the Casselman River.

Nancy Putman, also a Grantsville resident, said the state had invested a great deal of money into reclaiming some of the same area where the mine was proposed and in cleaning the water of the Casselman River. She said the proposed mine, which would have at least five tunnels beneath the river, would “undo all of that.”

Not only was this a concern for residents, but for management at Clayburn, a brickyard that would be bordered by the mine.

Robert Shaw, general manager of Clayburn, said the operations of the business require a certain amount of sanitary water, which the company fears could be lost if the mining damages the water quality. He added that if a problem arises, the business cannot wait until the mine can do something about the loss of sanitary water.

“If the water source is taken or contaminated, we will need a good source of water immediately,” Shaw said. “I’m asking you to consider the owners, managers and employees before you accept this application.”

There was also concern about the amount of truck traffic that the mine would create, but David Maust of Grantsville said the increase would not be as great as some may think. He said the addition of 100 coal trucks would be nothing compared to the more than 2,000 that already drive on Interstate 68, which is just north of the proposed mine site.

There were also questions regarding the airborne pollution that could be created.

Another resident said he wanted some assurance of a good track record with Maryland Energy Resources, which is a subsidiary of Peles Coal Co. of Indiana, Pa.

“It’s interesting sitting here and listening to concerns,” said Olan Beitzel of Grantsville. “I’d like to go on the record that I have enough confidence in the Bureau of Mines not to let something happen. If it can’t be done right, you’re not going to let it happen.”

Al Hooker, chief of permits, said the bureau would use questions asked by the public as part of its decision-making process and would create a document that will be available for review at the office once a final decision is made whether the permit is approved or denied.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.