I live on County Line Road. About three years ago, Rustic Ridge Coal Mining Inc. petitioned the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection (DEP) to develop a deep coal mine about a quarter of a mile from my home. Twelve years ago, a mining company petitioned to establish a mine near the same location, and the DEP denied it. This time, the mine was approved.
Since the mine began operations over a year ago, we have seen a parade of coal trucks barreling down our road, endangering citizens and wildlife and causing destruction of the road.
A few months ago, a property owner on Annabeth Road lost water because of this mine. The family drilled another well and hit water. When they approached the mine operators, they indicated it was not their responsibility because their property was out of the mine zone.
The mine company indicated this mine is an economic stimulus for this area, but only 91 nonunion miners work in the mine. The economic engine for this area is tourism, which employs over 14,000 people.
This year, Rustic Ridge petitioned the DEP to extend the mine out to Route 31 and east under the turnpike and Lake Donegal to Stahlstown. If this petition is approved, 35 families in the Lake Donegal Recreation Area and other area families could lose their water, or their water could become toxic.
The Mountain Watershed Association is leading the fight to stop this from happening. We would like all area residents to join us in encouraging the DEP to deny this permit.
Richard P. Davis
Saltlick