Mine Families First Response and Communications Implementation Plan; Public Comment Period [38 Pa.B. 5230]
[Saturday, September 20, 2008]Under the requirements of the Pennsylvania Mine Families First Act (52 P. S. §§ 1430.1--1430.7), the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) invites public comment on the Mine Families First Response and Communications Implementation Plan (Plan). The plan, developed by the Bureau of Mine Safety with assistance from the Mine Families First Response and Communication Advisory Council (Council), outlines the steps that shall be taken by the Department and mine owners and operators to communicate with families of miners who are trapped or awaiting rescue. The Council finalized and approved the plan for public comment at its August 28, 2008, meeting.
On October 4, 2007, Governor Ed Rendell signed into law the ''Mine Families First Act.'' The purpose of this act is to provide assistance to the family members of persons who are trapped or awaiting rescue during an underground mine emergency. The act assigns responsibilities to the Department, including the development of a Mine Families First Program as part of the Mine Emergency Response Program to ensure two-way communication between those persons in command of a mine emergency operation and the affected families through the mine family first liaison staff.
Interested individuals may submit comments on the Plan to the Department by October 20, 2008. Written comments should be submitted to Allison Gaida, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Mine Safety, 100 New Salem Road, Room 167, Uniontown, PA 15401, agaida@state.pa.us. Comments will not be accepted by facsimile or voice mail. Persons with a disability may contact the Department by using the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).
The Plan is available by contacting Allison Gaida at (724) 439-7289 or at the e-mail address listed previously. The Plan is also available on the Department's web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us (DEP Keywords: Public Participation). After completion of the review and comment period, the Department will make necessary revisions to the Plan and develop a final Plan for use as part of a mine emergency response program.
JOHN HANGER,
Acting Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-1712. Filed for public inspection September 19, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]
