Pocono News Section

Plans Take Shape for Mine Reclamation Project in Carbondale

Plans Take Shape for Mine Reclamation Project in Carbondale - Friday, February 5, 2010 at 6:27PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Friday, Feb 5, 2010 @ 06:27pm EST
CARBONDALE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Plans are taking shape to get rid of an eyesore in Lackawanna County's Up-Valley.

The city of Carbondale is working with state officials from the Department of Environmental Protection on another mine reclamation project.

The focus of the project is a huge pile of strip mining waste that is behind the Carbondale Elementary School. It has about 700,000 cubic yards of waste.

Friday morning, officials talked about plans to haul away about half of the unsafe debris.

"Rather than us just coming up with a design on our own, we wanted to get their input on what -- and how -- they would like to see it done," Ron Ryczak with the Pennsylvania DEP said.

Officials say they plan to put half of the waste in an existing pit off of Gordon Avenue. It's behind the old Squeaky's Bar.

City leaders say the project is something homeowners have been asking for.

"Right now, it's an eyesore and it's inhibiting any potential plans either for the school or the city," councilman John Gigliotti said.

Dawn Toolan runs the Edison Early Learning Center, which is currently right by the waste site that would shrink.

"My only concern is how it will affect our children in the spring and summer playing outside. Are there any health risks for them or even anything that could come in our center," Toolan asked.

The project to shrink the current site would take roughly nine months to complete once it begins. After that, part of the land could be developed or used by the school district.

"I'd like to see a soccer field there but there are a variety of other possible uses for that property," Carbondale Area Superintendent Dominick Famularo said.

City officials in Carbondale say they plan to have a public hearing to inform the public about the plans and get their feedback.