Buying Land in St. Paul - Mining Pollution? (Wise, Castlewood: mineral rights, schools)

[mwildman]

Hi folks,

We are considering buying some nice-looking acreage in Wise county, near St. Paul, VA. I have been researching the area, and see that it a major coal mining community. We are concerned that there might be a lot of water pollution in the area due to current or former coal mining. Also, the possibility that the 100 or so acres may be on top of old mines, and there may be the chance of collapses or sinkholes on the land. We have 3 small kids, so that would be a concern. Can anyone shed any light on this subject for us?
Thanks in advance,
Mandy

[ermoore]

I grew up in St. Paul and think it's a great place for a family. The schools are excellent and the people are friendly.
As for the water, I'm afraid that I probably can't help you. I know the Clinch River is a very clean river in terms of pollution and what not. I'd suggest trying some official agency, but I'd guess you've already done that. I don't recall ever hearing anything about bad water pollution from the mines, though I think some Castlewood areas had a problem some years ago with cattle contamination of their water. I think that just affected a couple areas in Castlewood though and it was 10-15 years ago.
I know even less about the mines, but most of the mines around SP are strip mines. But I guess it just depends on where exactly you're looking. There are a lot of caves in the area, but again, I don't particularly recall there being a lot problems with sinkholes.
Sorry, that was probably of little help, but I saw a post about St. Paul and just had to say something. What's made you decide to move to SP, if you don't mind my asking?

[mwildman]

Hi there ER Moore,

Thanks sooo much for your reply - actually it was a lot of help. It made me feel better about taking the leap of buying land up there. We don't plan on moving up there, just getting some land for relaxation and nature and maybe eventual retirement. We have 3 young kids now, and we would like to have somewhere to get away from hurricanes and enjoy ourselves in the summer. We have friends in Independence, which got us started looking in that area.

Can you tell me some of the favorite things you used to to as a kid in that area? Any other tidbits of pieces of advice in terms of what NOT to do to get ourselves into trouble?
Thanks again,
Mandy, FL

[theburro]

I worked in the St. Paul area and lived in several surrounding communities. The abandoned mine pollution is profound and widespread. While the Clinch River itself is OK (large unmined watershed upstream) many of the smaller streams are polluted. Underground mine subsidence is unpredictable - you should always assume the worst. BTW, do you plan to acquire the mineral rights to this "nice-looking acreage"? I'm sure you wouldn't like a big coal company to come in and strip-mine your land off the face of the earth, but that's certainly a possibility and completely legal.