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Pocono News Section
Mining Problems in Hanover Township
Mining Problems in Hanover Township - Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 6:30PM EST
Reported by: Jill Konopka
Wednesday, Jan 2, 2008 @06:30pm EST
(ASKAM, HANOVER TOWNSHIP) Backed up mine water is weighing down one neighborhood in Askam Hanover Township. Carl Olshefski is one concerned homeowner, who contacted WBRE News, "I'm afraid we're going to get washed away here, the water's coming out of the mines here." Olshefski lives on Cross Clarks Road and some of his neighbors in the nearby Dundee Apartments in Hanover Township are concerned with a mine water buildup bordering their backyards. Some have already seen flooding in the basements and to their lawns. Olshefski added, "This is an impending disaster. If they don't do something, the water has to be diverted." Last week, officials with the Earth Conservancy, which owns part of the land started to pump out the water into nearby Nanticoke Creek. Mike Dziak is with the Earth Conservancy. He told WBRE News, "It has, but not enough. We're pumping back today, got the trench going. seems to stabilize. It can't though get ahead of it." Dziak thinks this old bore on Dundee Road is to blame. "That's collapsed, so the water is not coming out of there at the rate it normally came out and that's part of the problem. The Office Of Service Mining and D.E.P. have to conclude that and take action, Mick Kuhns from the Office of Service Mining says, "We're agreeable the problem is mining related." The Office Of Surface Mining says it may take time, but they will implement a two-phase project to fix this potential mine disaster. Kuhns also stated, "Get in behind the apartments and try to do earth work. Construct some kind of ditch. We’d be able to have lower elevation ditch and allow water to drain out on it's own free will and not have to pump it out. The second phase of the project involves a little more leg work including looking into why the mine pool elevation is as high as it is, potentially drilling new bore holes and getting permission from the landowners and permits from state agencies before starting a full bidding process. | | |
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