Community Information Meeting on Tar Sands Mining in NW Alabama

HATTON – On Tuesday, March 18 at 6:00 p.m., there will be a public meeting at Hatton Elementary School at 6536 County Road 236 in Hatton, to discuss the proposal by MS Industries to strip mine tar sands from the underlying Hartselle sandstone formation here in northwest Alabama. The company is currently buying properties near Wolf Springs in Lawrence County and near the Lagrange community in Colbert County. Many resident have serious concerns about this proposed surface mining, including its possible effects on human health,water quality, noise and air pollution, destruction of the land and the limitations of the reclamation of the land after the mining is finished.

Dr. Jim Lacefield, author of the definitive book on Alabama’s geology, “Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks,” will start off the meeting with a 15-minute Power Point presentation, giving an overview of the geology of northwest Alabama and the origins of the tar sands found in the Hartselle sandstone.Next, there will be a panel discussion of the issue with environmental consultant John Crowder, Dr. Jim Lacefield,  Adam Johnston (Alliance Coordinator for Alabama Rivers Alliance), Joel Mize (a veteran of the energy development industry),

and Janice Barrett (local resident).

About Joel Mize:  Mr. Mize received his degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alabama. He has worked for 50 years, across the US and in several foreign countries, in the energy development industry as a petroleum engineer. His expertise includes both natural gas and petroleum development and he has a background in tar sands development.

About Jim Lacefield: Dr. Jim Lacefield, EdD, is a retired adjunct professor of biology and Earth science at the University of North Alabama. He is the author of a popular-level guidebook to Alabama’s rocks and fossils entitled Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks: A Guide to the State’s Ancient Life and Landscapes. His heavily-illustrated book has been used as an introductory Earth science and geology textbook from the middle school through the college levels, including at nine universities in three Southern states. A revised and expanded second edition of the book has recently been published by the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Tuscaloosa. He and his wife, Faye, own Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve in Colbert County, one of NW Alabama’s prime hiking destinations and home to rare flora and fauna.

About Adam Johnston: As Alliance Coordinator for Alabama Rivers Alliance, Adam works to build, unite, and support the network of more than 50 grassroots watershed guardian organizations in our state. He is an Alabama native, born and raised in the beautiful, northern portion of the Black Warrior watershed along Clear Creek.Adam graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.  Upon graduation, Adam joined the U.S. Peace Corps in the Republic of Vanuatu to serve their Department of Forestry as a grassroots organizer in natural resource management.  During his time in Vanuatu, Adam lived and worked with a very remote and isolated clan doing native tree replanting, conservation awareness education, and community water system building.  After completing his service, Adam returned home to Alabama and worked for several years at Camp McDowell‘s Environmental Center.  Adam is passionate about the preservation of our state’s natural resources and educating others about them.