SIDELL, Ill. (AP) — Some central Illinois residents say they’re concerned about an Indiana company’s request for a permit to allow runoff from a coal mine to go into area waterways.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency held a public hearing Wednesday as it decides whether to grant Sunrise Coal the permit. The company wants to build the Bulldog mine in Vermillion County.

About 75 people attended the meeting and almost half of them spoke on the record. A majority of those speakers expressed concern over plans for the mine and asked state officials questions.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports that the president of Oakwood’s village board sought assurance that the mine wouldn’t taint the drinking water it gets from the Salt Fork River.

Officials say the mine only would discharge runoff during excessive rainfall.

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