134 Notice of hearing; areas unsuitable for coal mining; petition no. 11969901

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY BOARD

Notice of Hearing; Areas Unsuitable for Coal Mining; Petition No. 11969901

[28 Pa.B. 431]

   The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) and the Environmental Quality Board invite all interested persons to attend a public hearing on a proposal to designate the Muddy Run watershed in Reade Township, Cambria County, and the upper portion of the Muddy Run watershed in Beccaria and Gulich Townships, Clearfield County, as an area unsuitable for surface mining operations.

   The hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 1998, in the Glendale High School auditorium, located at 1466 Beaver Valley Road, Flinton, PA 16640-8900.

   The hearing concerns Petition No. 11969901, which was submitted by the Reade Township Municipal Authority.

   The petitioners allege that surface mining operations could result in the degradation of or loss of surface and groundwater resources, including aquifers and aquifer recharge areas used for public water supply.

   The hearing will be legislative and fact-finding in nature where interested persons will be afforded an opportunity to present oral or written testimony and comments on the merits of the petition. All persons wishing to present oral testimony must register with the Department before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 1998, and must bring three copies of the testimony to the hearing. Persons can register by calling [phone] between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is requested that only one person from each organization present testimony. No cross-examination of witnesses will be permitted. Written comments will be accepted by the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Mining and Reclamation, Room 213 Executive House, P. O. Box 8461, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8461 until 4:30 p.m., March 13, 1998, when the public record will close. Submission of comments by facsimile (fax) machine will not be accepted. Comments may also be submitted electronically to the Board at [e-mail] and must be received by March 13, 1998.

   Persons with a disability who require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceedings, should contact M. C. McCommons at [phone] before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 15, 1998, to discuss how the Department may best accommodate their needs. If necessary, persons may use the AT&T Relay Service by calling 1 [phone] (T.D.D. users) or 1 [phone] (voice users) and request that they relay the call to M. C. McCommons at [phone].

   Persons with an interest within the petition area which may be affected by a designation may request to become an intervenor, for or against these proceedings, by filing allegations of fact, supporting evidence, a short statement identifying the petition to which the allegations pertain, their interests which could be affected, and a request for intervenor status including name, address and phone number. Requests for intervenor status will be accepted until 3 days before the public hearing on the petition.

   This notice is given under the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (52 P. S. §§ 1396.1--1396.19a), The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. §§ 691.1--691.1001) and the Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act (52 P. S. §§ 30.51--30.66) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

JAMES M. SEIF,   
Secretary and Chairperson

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-134. Filed for public inspection January 23, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]