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DEP was wronged
Your March 19 article about longwall mining falsely stated the efforts of the Department of Environmental Protection. In truth, DEP is trying to continue protecting farmers' water supplies and is opposing federal Office of Surface Mining's recommendations that would take such protections away.
When I visited Washington and Greene counties last summer, I saw the hardship landowners living above longwall mines experience and the effects of subsidence on our streams. I also learned that some property owners attempt to go it alone with coal companies to try to get damage repaired, rather than filing a damage claim with DEP to enlist our help.
DEP has made fundamental improvements in how we help surface owners and protect streams. DEP favors a change in Act 54 that would cut the deadline for replacing water supplies from three years to two. Our surface subsidence agents are helping landowners clearly understand their rights before, during and after mining, and they check on owners to make sure damage and water supply problems are being solved. A toll-free number (800-922-1678) and new page on DEP's Website (www.dep.state.pa.us) are helping landowners understand their rights and report problems. We now require longwall mine operators to get individual permits to protect streams before they mine, just like any other business or activity. And soon, we will post all instances of building damage and water supply loss by longwall mining on our website as an incentive to mine operators to resolve cases quickly.
David E. Hess, secretary
Department of Environmental Protection