Area Unsuitable for Coal Mining [26 Pa.B. 5913] Shade Township, Somerset County The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) has completed a technical study of a petition requesting designation of a portion of Shade Township in Somerset County as unsuitable for surface mining activities. Based upon this study and evaluation of public comments, the Department has made a recommendation to the Environmental Quality Board not to designate the petition area as unsuitable for coal mining.
A petition to designate an area in Shade Township, Somerset County, as unsuitable for mining was received by the Department on September 27, 1995. The petition was submitted by the Shade Township Supervisors. The petition area included approximately 565 acres (230 hectares) located immediately northeast of the village of Reels Corners.
The petition was filed under the discretionary criteria concerning the substantial loss or reduction of long-range productivity of water supply. The Department's technical study evaluated the allegations presented in the petition document which specifically stated that further surface mining activities conducted on any coals within the petition area could result in the diminution, loss or degradation of surface and groundwater resources, including aquifers and aquifer recharge areas used for water supply. A primary concern identified in the petition document was the alleged potential loss of private water supplies through surface effects of underground mining in the petition area.
Based upon the technical study and evaluation of public comments, the Department found that, although there is a potential that underground mining operations within the petition area could result in diminution, loss or degradation of some water supply wells, there are strata which contain aquifer zones that are suitable as replacement water supplies.
Given the availability of alternate water supply sources which could be developed in the event private water supplies were affected by surface mining activities, the Department's recommendation to the Environmental Quality Board is that none of the petition area be designated as unsuitable for surface mining activities. This recommendation would allow for evaluation of the hydrologic impacts of mining specific coals or areas through the permit review process and would provide for protection of water supplies within the constraints of mining and reclamation technology.
A copy of the Department's recommendation, which includes a technical study and a comment and response document addressing comments which were received during the public comment period on the petition, is available from the Bureau of Mining and Reclamation, Division of Environmental Analysis and Support, Room 213 Executive House, P. O. Box 8461, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8461, telephone (717) 787-4761, or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1 (800) 654-5984 (TDD).
The Department is soliciting comments before the Environmental Quality Board takes final action on the recommendation. Comments should be forwarded to M. C. McCommons, Bureau of Mining and Reclamation, Room 213 Executive House, P. O. Box 8461, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8461. Comments must be received by January 6, 1997.
JAMES M. SEIF,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-2061. Filed for public inspection December 6, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]
