Story Created:
Jan 6, 2010 at 6:41 PM AKDT
Story Updated:
Jan 6, 2010 at 6:41 PM AKDT
A lawsuit has been filed in federal court over the problem of coal dust dirtying the scenic town of Seward.
Residents have complained for years that coal stockpiled near the harbor for delivery to ships for export to Asia and Chile is polluting their town - a popular destination for summer tourists.
Lawyer Austin Williams with Trustees for Alaska says residents report that when the wind blows plumes of coal dust fly from the coal piles. He says when the coal is loaded by conveyor belt onto the ships chunks fall into Resurrection Bay.
The lawsuit alleges that the Alaska Railroad and Aurora Energy Services are violating the federal Clean Water Act, and asks the court to force the companies to stop polluting or get a permit.
