It is reported that a mining subsidiary owned by Peabody Energy has proposed a land swap with Shawnee National Forest.

According to a press release, the plan by the mining company plans to perform surface mining as part of a coal extraction operation on the land.

According to the National Forest Service American Land Holdings, LLC a subsidiary of Peabody Energy has proposed to swap three portions of land, 831 acres for 384 acres of the National Forest that connects private lands that ALHI owns or has legal options to buy in southern Illinois

The federal land is approximately two miles from the Ohio River and 20 miles southeast of Harrisburg. The non-federal lands include two parcels in Pope County and one parcel Jackson County.

Mr Ron Scott Lands Program Manager for Shawnee National Forest said "As of right now we want to identify issues that people may or may not have to be taken into consideration as we are doing our environmental analysis on the proposal."

According to the forest service, the deciding official, a forest supervisor will review the proposed action and alternatives to decide to exchange the land or modify the proposal.

There will be an open house to discuss the proposal on January 25 from 5PM to 8 PM in Harrisburg.

The forest service says they welcome your comments on the proposal.

(Sourced from www.kfvs12.com)