Ezel / Agency Decisions / weva-2009-1367-r-alj

Marfork Coal Company, Inc. Settlement Agreement (ALJ decision, April 27, 2011)

Marfork Coal Company, Inc. (FMSHRC WEVA 2009-1367-R, et al.): 83 dockets settled for $627,714

Decision type
ALJ decision
Dockets
WEVA 2009-1367-R, WEVA 2008-386, WEVA 2008-717, WEVA 2008-719, WEVA 2008-720, WEVA 2008-1094, WEVA 2008-1126, WEVA 2008-1130, WEVA 2008-1187, WEVA 2008-1391, WEVA 2008-1460, WEVA 2008-1466, WEVA 2009-9, WEVA 2009-268, WEVA 2009-270, WEVA 2009-271, WEVA 2009-272, WEVA 2009-273, WEVA 2009-452, WEVA 2009-453, WEVA 2009-459, WEVA 2009-460, WEVA 2009-552, WEVA 2009-553, WEVA 2009-625, WEVA 2009-626, WEVA 2009-627, WEVA 2009-628, WEVA 2009-630, WEVA 2009-631, WEVA 2009-718, WEVA 2009-732, WEVA 2009-902, WEVA 2009-903, WEVA 2009-904, WEVA 2009-906, WEVA 2009-907, WEVA 2009-909, WEVA 2009-910, WEVA 2009-1045, WEVA 2009-1046, WEVA 2009-1047, WEVA 2009-1049, WEVA 2009-1052, WEVA 2009-1054, WEVA 2009-1381, WEVA 2009-1422, WEVA 2009-1425, WEVA 2009-1426, WEVA 2009-1463, WEVA 2009-1464, WEVA 2009-1693, WEVA 2009-1797, WEVA 2009-1799, WEVA 2009-1881, WEVA 2009-1885, WEVA 2009-1886, WEVA 2009-1887, WEVA 2010-36, WEVA 2010-39, WEVA 2010-40, WEVA 2010-59, WEVA 2010-99, WEVA 2010-100, WEVA 2010-163, WEVA 2010-164, WEVA 2010-165, WEVA 2010-166, WEVA 2010-325, WEVA 2010-370, WEVA 2010-371, WEVA 2010-372, WEVA 2010-373, WEVA 2010-374, WEVA 2010-513, WEVA 2010-514, WEVA 2010-516, WEVA 2010-518, WEVA 2010-519, WEVA 2010-586, WEVA 2010-587, WEVA 2010-616, WEVA 2010-669
Decided
April 27, 2011
Presiding judge
Jerold Feldman
Outcome
Settled
Precedential status
Final order, not precedent
Checked against source
2026-08-04
Cited standards
30 U.S.C. § 815(d) 30 U.S.C. § 820(i)
Official source
Read the official release (fmshrc.gov)
PDF
View Official PDF

Apply this to your situation

This order from 2011 bound only the parties to this case; it isn't precedent. Ask about your situation and see what the current MSHA standards and Commission precedent say, with citations.

Currency note: this decision dates from 2011
The MSHA standards may have been amended, penalty amounts have been adjusted, and later Commission or court decisions may have changed the analysis since then. Treat this page as historical context, not current compliance advice. Verify the current standard before relying on any specific rule, threshold, or penalty mentioned here.
Final ALJ decision, not Commission precedent
This decision became final under the 40-day rule in 30 U.S.C. § 823(d)(1) because no later Commission review appears in the official index. It binds the parties but is not Commission precedent. The full text below is from the official FMSHRC release.
About this page: The plain-English summary and decision snapshot below were written by Ezel based on the official FMSHRC release. The full text is the agency's own release.
Read the official release (fmshrc.gov)

Plain-English summary

Marfork Coal Company and the Secretary submitted a comprehensive settlement covering 83 contest and civil-penalty dockets involving several company mines. The agreement reduced total assessed penalties from $784,659 to $627,714, a reduction of $156,945, with the docket-by-docket amounts listed in the decision. Judge Jerold Feldman found the settlement appropriate under the Mine Act's penalty criteria, ordered payment within 30 days, and dismissed the proceedings upon timely payment.

Decision snapshot

  • Governing provision: 30 U.S.C. § 820(i)
  • Outcome: The 83-docket settlement was approved for total penalties of $627,714.
  • Key point: A comprehensive settlement may resolve a large group of contest and penalty proceedings when the record supports the agreed amounts under the statutory penalty criteria.

Full text (FMSHRC public release)

FMSRHC ALJ DECISION

FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES

601 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, NW, SUITE 9500

WASHINGTON, DC 20001

April 27, 2011

MARFORK COAL COMPANY, INC.

Contestant

v.

SECRETARY OF LABOR,

MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH

ADMINISTRATION (MSHA),

Respondent

SECRETARY OF LABOR,

MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH

ADMINISTRATION (MSHA),

Petitioner

v.

MARFORK COAL COMPANY, INC.

Respondent

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CONTEST PROCEEDINGS

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1367-R

Order No. 6623515; 04/02/2009

Mine ID: 46-09091

Mine: Horse Creek Eagle

CIVIL PENALTY PROCEEDINGS

Docket No. WEVA 2008-717
A.C. No. 46-09092-138615-02

Mine: Allen Powellton Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2008-719
A.C. No. 46-09091-138614-02

Mine: Allen Powellton Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2008-720
A.C. No. 46-08837-138612

Mine: Coon Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2008-1094
A.C. No. 46-09048-146206–02

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2008-1126
A.C. No. 46-08837-146204

Mine: Coon Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2008-1130
A.C. No. 46-09091-146208-02

Mine: Horse Creek Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2008-1187
A.C. No. 46-08837-149678

Mine: Coon Cedar Grove Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2008-1391
A.C. No. 46-09193-153039

Mine: Parker Peerless

Docket No. WEVA 2008-1460
A.C. No. 46-09091-153033

Mine: Horse Creek Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2008-1466
A.C. No. 46-08297-153023-02

Mine: White Queen

Docket No. WEVA 2009-9

A.C. No. 46-09193-162143

Mine: Parker Peerless Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2009-268
A.C. No. 46-08315-164914

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2009-270
A.C. No. 46-09092-164922-01

Mine: Allen Powellton

Docket No. WEVA 2009-271
A.C. No. 46-09092-164922-02

Mine: Allen Powellton

Docket No. WEVA 2009-272
A.C. No. 46-09193-164927-01

Mine: Parker Peerless Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2009-273
A.C. No. 46-09193-164927-02

Mine: Parker Peerless

Docket No. WEVA 2009-452
A.C. No. 46-09048-167882

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2009-453
A.C. No. 46-09193-167889

Mine: Park Peerless Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2009-459
A.C. No. 46-08315-167873

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2009-460
A.C. No. 46-08551-167877

Mine: Marsh Fork Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2009-552
A.C. No. 46-09193-170811-01

Mine: Parker Peerless

Docket No. WEVA 2009-553
A.C. No. 46-09193-170811-02

Mine: Parker Peerless

Docket No. WEVA 2009-625
A.C. No. 46-08315-170794

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2009-626
A.C. No. 46-08297-170793

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2009-627
A.C. No. 46-08837-170800-01

Mine: Coon Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2009-628
A.C. No. 46-08837-170800-02

Mine: Coon Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2009-630
A.C. No. 46-09091-170805

Mine: Horse Creek Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2009-631
A.C. No. 46-09092-170806

Mine: Allen Powellton

Docket No. WEVA 2009-718
A.C. No. 46-08315-173687

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2009-732
A.C. No. 46-09048-173692

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2009-902
A.C. No. 46-08297-176257

Mine: White Queen

Docket No. WEVA 2009-903
A.C. No. 46-08315-176258

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2009-904
A.C. No. 46-08374-176259

Mine: Marfork Processing

Docket No. WEVA 2009-906
A.C. No. 46-08551-176261-02

Mine: Marsh Fork Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2009-907
A.C. No. 46-08837-176262

Mine: Coon Cedar Grove Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2009-909
A.C. No. 46-09048-176264-02

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2009-910
A.C. No. 46-09092-176267

Mine: Allen Powellton

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1045
A.C. No. 46-08297-178767

Mine: White Queen

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1046
A.C. No. 46-08315-178768

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1047
A.C. No. 46-08374-178769

Mine: Marfork Processing

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1049
A.C. No. 46-09048-178773-02

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1052
A.C. No. 46-08551-178770

Mine: Marsh Fork

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1054
A.C. No. 46-09092-178776

Mine: Allen Powellton Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1381
A.C. No. 46-09193-181461

Mine: Parker Peerless

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1422
A.C. No. 46-09092-184531

Mine: Allen Powellton Mine

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1425
A.C. No. 46-08837-184525

Mine: Coon Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1426
A.C. No. 46-09091-184530

Mine: Horse Creek Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1463
A.C. No. 46-08551-184520

Mine: Marsh Fork

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1464
A.C. No. 46-09048-184528

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1693
A.C. No. 46-09193-187356

Mine: Parker Peerless

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1797
A.C. No. 46-09048-190388

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1799
A.C. No. 46-09193-190395

Mine: Parker Peerless

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1881
A.C. No. 46-09048-193231

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1885
A.C. No. 46-08297-193226

Mine: White Queen

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1886
A.C. No. 46-08315-193227

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2009-1887
A.C. No. 46-08551-193229

Mine: Marsh Fork

Docket No. WEVA 2010-36
A.C. No. 46-08551-197139

Mine: Marsh Fork

Docket No. WEVA 2010-39
A.C. No. 46-09048-197153

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2010-40
A.C. No. 46-09193-197159

Mine: Parker Peerless

Docket No. WEVA 2010-59
A.C. No. 46-09091-197155

Mine: Horse Creek Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2010-99
A.C. No. 46-08315-197136

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2010-100
A.C. No. 46-09092-197156

Mine: Allen Powellton

Docket No. WEVA 2010-163
A.C. No. 46-08315-200289

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2010-164
A.C. No. 46-08374-200290

Mine: Marfork Processing

Docket No. WEVA 2010-165
A.C. No. 46-08551-200293

Mine: Marsh Fork

Docket No. WEVA 2010-166
A.C. No. 46-09048-200301

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2010-325
A.C. No. 46-09193-203774

Mine: Parker Peerless

Docket No. WEVA 2010-370
A.C. No. 46-08551-203767

Mine: Marsh Fork

Docket No. WEVA 2010-371
A.C. No. 46-09048-203769

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2010-372
A.C. No. 46-09091-203770

Mine: Horse Creek Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2010-373
A.C. No.46-09092-203771-01

Mine: Allen Powellton

Docket No. WEVA 2010-374
A.C. No. 46-09092-203771-02

Mine: Allen Powellton

Docket No. WEVA 2010-513
A.C. No. 46-08315-206643

Mine: Brushy Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2010-514
A.C. No. 46-08551-206645

Mine: Marsh Fork

Docket No. WEVA 2010-516
A.C. No. 46-09048-206650

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2010-518
A.C. No. 46-09091-206651-02

Mine: Horse Creek Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2010-519
A.C. No. 46-09092-206652

Mine: Allen Powellton

Docket No. WEVA 2010-586
A.C. No. 46-09048-208972

Mine: Slip Ridge Cedar Grove

Docket No. WEVA 2010-587
A.C. No. 46-09091-208974

Mine: Horse Creek Eagle

Docket No. WEVA 2010-616
A.C. No. 46-09193-208978

Mine: Parker Peerless

Docket No. WEVA 2010-669
A.C. No. 46-08315-208967

Mine: Brushy Eagle

DECISION APPROVING SETTLEMENT

Before: Judge Feldman

These captioned proceedings are before me based upon a petition for assessment of civil penalty filed pursuant to section 105(d) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the Act). The Secretary has filed a motion to approve a comprehensive settlement agreement and to dismiss the 83 captioned dockets. A reduction in total civil penalty from $784,659.00 to $627,714.00 is proposed.

The specific settlement terms are as noted in the comprehensive settlement agreement appended to the electronic version of this decision approving settlement, and posted online at the
Commission’s website: http://www.fmshrc.gov. The above captioned contest docket has been
resolved by the terms of the comprehensive settlement agreement. The originally assessed and
agreed upon civil penalties for each docket are as follows:

Docket No.

Originally Assessed Penalty

Proposed Settlement

WEVA 2008-386

$425.00

$425.00

WEVA 2008-717

$1,009.00

$610.00

WEVA 2008-719

$499.00

$499.00

WEVA 2008-720

$722.00

$615.00

WEVA 2008-1094

$392.00

$392.00

WEVA 2008-1126

$1,752.00

$1,171.00

WEVA 2008-1130

$582.00

$582.00

WEVA 2008-1187

$263.00

$263.00

WEVA 2008-1391

$968.00

$688.00

WEVA 2008-1460

$1,457.00

$1,457.00

WEVA 2008-1466

$392.00

$392.00

WEVA 2009-9

$615.00

$476.00

WEVA 2009-268

$5,555.00

$3,511.00

WEVA 2009-270

$499.00

$499.00

WEVA 2009-271

$2,980.00

$2,245.00

WEVA 2009-272

$811.00

$300.00

WEVA 2009-273

$285.00

$285.00

WEVA 2009-452

$53,563.00

$42,420.00

WEVA 2009-453

$5,549.00

$5,231.00

WEVA 2009-459

$12,644.00

$10,333.00

WEVA 2009-460

$9,275.00

$4,830.00

WEVA 2009-552

$8,405.00

$8,038.00

WEVA 2009-553

$100.00

$100.00

WEVA 2009-625

$10,003.00

$4,900.00

WEVA 2009-626

$9,158.00

$9,158.00

WEVA 2009-627

$585.00

$300.00

WEVA 2009-628

$392.00

$175.00

WEVA 2009-630

$9,128.00

$7,661.00

WEVA 2009-631

$4,549.00

$4,159.00

WEVA 2009-718

$8,893.00

$2,000.00

WEVA 2009-732

$1,746.00

$1,746.00

WEVA 2009-902

$6,617.00

$6,617.00

WEVA 2009-903

$17,594.00

$8,800.00

WEVA 2009-904

$1,620.00

$1,240.00

WEVA 2009-906

$65,735.00

$49,995.00

WEVA 2009-907

$8,848.00

$5,136.00

WEVA 2009-909

$26,971.00

$23,650.00

WEVA 2009-910

$3,912.00

$2,704.00

WEVA 2009-1045

$2,282.00

$2,282.00

WEVA 2009-1046

$25,840.00

$14,901.00

WEVA 2009-1047

$460.00

$460.00

WEVA 2009-1049

$15,793.00

$9,696.00

WEVA 2009-1052

$35,577.00

$29,608.00

WEVA 2009-1054

$5,785.00

$5,785.00

WEVA 2009-1381

$30,176.00

$24,472.00

WEVA 2009-1422

$8,031.00

$6,587.00

WEVA 2009-1425

$1,002.00

$818.00

WEVA 2009-1426

$21,506.00

$19,208.00

WEVA 2009-1463

$2,901.00

$2,901.00

WEVA 2009-1464

$15,752.00

$12,356.00

WEVA 2009-1693

$1,597.00

$1,597.00

WEVA 2009-1797

$277.00

$277.00

WEVA 2009-1799

$76,599.00

$59,650.00

WEVA 2009-1881

$2,665.00

$2,162.00

WEVA 2009-1885

$127.00

$127.00

WEVA 2009-1886

$4,946.00

$4,946.00

WEVA 2009-1887

$38,345.00

$34,036.00

WEVA 2010-36

$4,329.00

$4,329.00

WEVA 2010-39

$2,442.00

$2,442.00

WEVA 2010-40

$10,761.00

$9,844.00

WEVA 2010-59

$12,392.00

$11,203.00

WEVA 2010-99

$6,956.00

$5,078.00

WEVA 2010-100

$16,894.00

$16,056.00

WEVA 2010-163

$3,143.00

$1,700.00

WEVA 2010-164

$2,138.00

$1,846.00

WEVA 2010-165

$13,583.00

$12,572.00

WEVA 2010-166

$6,628.00

$5,971.00

WEVA 2010-325

$21,442.00

$21,442.00

WEVA 2010-370

$5,158.00

$5,158.00

WEVA 2010-371

$3,419.00

$2,746.00

WEVA 2010-372

$100.00

$100.00

WEVA 2010-373

$2,473.00

$2,473.00

WEVA 2010-374

$3,888.00

$3,888.00

WEVA 2010-513

$9,302.00

$3,353.00

WEVA 2010-514

$6,918.00

$5,901.00

WEVA 2010-516

$8,472.00

$8,472.00

WEVA 2010-518

$9,912.00

$7,330.00

WEVA 2010-519

$17,450.00

$15,659.00

WEVA 2010-586

$4,229.00

$4,229.00

WEVA 2010-587

$2,369.00

$2,369.00

WEVA 2010-616

$24,885.00

$22,113.00

WEVA 2010-669

$11,222.00

$5,968.00

TOTAL

$784,659.00

$627,714.00

I have considered the representations and documentation submitted in these matters and I conclude that the proffered settlement is appropriate under the criteria set forth in Section 110(i)

of the Act. WHEREFORE, the motion for approval of settlement IS GRANTED, and pursuant
to the parties’ agreement, Marfork Coal Company, Inc. IS ORDERED to pay the $627,714.00

civil penalty within 30 days of this order in satisfaction of the 83 dockets at issue.

Upon receipt oftimely payment, the captioned contest and civil penalty proceedings ARE DISMISSED.

Jerold Feldman

Administrative Law Judge

And for Judges Barbour, Bulluck, Gill, Lesnick, McCarthy,
Melick, Moran, Paez, Rae, Sippel, and Weisberger

Distribution:

Jonathan D. Marcus, Esq., U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, 1100 Wilson Blvd.,
22nd Floor West, Arlington, VA 22209-2247

Sarah G. Korwan, Esq., Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, Huntington Square, 900 Lee Street, #600,
Charleston, WV 25301

/jel

What applies to your situation today?

This order bound one employer. Ezel checks the current MSHA standards and Commission precedent against your facts, with citations.

Opens in Ezel Pro.

  • Checks the law as it stands today, not only this page
  • Cites every source it relies on, so you can verify it
  • Chat, drafting and research in one workspace