{Huntington, West Virginia}...U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers in Huntington says he wants more time to decide if he'll block a Clean Water Act permit for an Alpha Natural Resources coal mine in Logan County while environmentalists appeal the permit to a higher court. The Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and others had challenged the permit at Virginia-based Alpha's Highland Reylas surface mine. Earlier this month Chambers ruled in favor of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Alpha. The groups hope to appeal the decision to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Chambers ruled this past week to continue a legal stay on the permit until he can consider new legal briefs and arguments. Chambers said he might not rule until later in the week.
