pa-56-34-1204: Areas unsuitable for mining; headwaters of the Fourmile Run, Westmoreland County (Part II)

Summary

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department), Bureau of Mining Programs, has accepted for technical study, a petition to designate the Headwaters of the Fourmile Run in southeast Westmoreland County as an area unsuitable for surface mining operations. The petition study area includes approximately 11,000 acres located north and west of Donegal. The petitioner alleges that mining could result in the degradation and loss of surface and groundwater resources. The petitioner also alleges that mining is likely to result in permanent harm or is incompatible with reclamation requirements, or both. The Department will review the factual allegations in the petition, conduct a technical study and hold a public hearing to determine whether a recommendation to designate the area as unsuitable for surface mining operations should be submitted to the Environmental Quality Board. Persons with an interest within the petition area, which may be affected by a designation, may 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. The public record on this petition is available to the public during regular business hours at the New...

The agency’s own summary, as published.