Public interest in the controversial mining method known as longwall mining continues to provoke public interest  and debate.

On Monday Feb. 11th at 6:40 am and again at 8:50 am,  Pittsburgh area radio station WDUQ will air a feature, by station reporter Charlee Song, on the effects of longwall mining on southwestern Pennsylvania streams and watersheds. (Listeners outside the area can listen to an audio stream of the feature on the station's website at www.wduq.org,  at those times;  and the feature will be available on audio file at the website for downloading and recording after 3:00 pm on that day.)

Ms. Song, as a part of the feature, discussed the dewatering of five streams in the region  -  all five of which had been undermined - with RPF representative VP Harlan Snyder.

RPF stressed that DEP often issues permits to mining companies without adequately predicting what will happen to a  stream that will be undermined.

We specifically voiced concern over the lack of biologic data for many streams before they are undermined. As a part of the permitting process - and the solution -  we believe that DEP must require adequate premining data in order to adequately monitor the effects of longwall subsidence on aquatic resources.

RPF would like to express its gratitude to Ms. Song and WDUQ for airing these important issues and affording RPF with the opportunity to comment.