Specter gets lesson on impact of longwall mining
WAYNESBURG – U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter got a lesson in longwall mining and its effects on properties during a visit to Greene County on Wednesday. Specter, speaking at a town meeting at Waynesburg College, heard from several residents who have had their properties damaged by mining and have lost their only source of water.
Rhonda Lovingood of Holbrook gave Specter pictures of sites near her home that she is concerned could be environmental hazards. She said a company is dumping hazardous materials into a lake just three miles from Graysville Elementary School, and the water and dirt could be contaminated.
She also said her home has been undermined and the lake near her property has been without water for 13 weeks, while the state Department of Environmental Protection has done little. Lovingood said she has been forced to prove that mining caused the damage to her lake and recently learned that DEP ruled mining did not cause the loss of water.
Another woman who knows about losing water after mining, Laurine Williams of Waynesburg, said her home is still without water and will not be completely repaired until the end of the year. Williams and her husband, Murray, own the historic Kent farm in Franklin Township and watched as the home was undermined last year, even though it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
She said mining destroyed their pond and streams, and the home was able to get water again only because the home was on the National Register and the coal company was obligated to repair the home and restore the water.
“There are many, many people in this county that have been without water for two years or more and are still using water buffaloes,” Williams said. “I invite you to see what is happening in Greene County because of longwall mining.”
She said many people are afraid of speaking up about their losses or challenging coal companies, but the problem is more widespread than many may think. She said agencies such as DEP and the Office of Surface Mining are making people prove that mining has caused damage by having them drill into their property, but the homeowners receive no financial assistance in their efforts.
“This is a serious, serious problem,” Williams said. “It’s been going on for a long time, and we cannot get anyone to listen.”
Mary Childs of Center Township said her home will soon be undermined, and she already has been told her home will drop 4 feet as a result. She said her natural spring, which she has used for years, will be the first loss, even if the mining company drills only test holes on her property.
She said at her age, she and many other people like her should not have to endure these kinds of losses to homes and properties they have owned for decades.
“We’re at their mercy,” Childs said. “How can I fight a big company? I can’t.”
Attilia Shumaker of Sycamore asked Specter why companies are allowed to destroy water sources and the DEP is not enforcing the Clean Streams Act more forcefully. She said the problems in the county are not getting corrected but are being exacerbated as more homes and farms are undermined.
“This is a farming community,” she told the senator. “You need to look at this issue and you need to look at it seriously.”
Specter said he and his staff will review the comments made and will explore the issues of longwall mining and property damage in the months ahead.
While mining issues took up most of the meeting time, Specter also heard from Don Chappel, executive director of the Greene County Industrial Development Authority. Chappel said that GCIDA has applied for more than $2 million in grants for technology purposes and another $1.5 million in grants for infrastructure at the EverGreene Technology Park in Franklin Township. He asked Specter to support the county efforts and see that the applications get through the necessary channels for funding.
“We have processed a number of applications over the years and have been successful with a lot of them in getting money distributed all over the state,” Specter said. “I will try to help you.”
Specter also heard questions from Greene County constituents on the future of Social Security, possible Medicare changes, prescription drug costs, youth apathy in government and voting and rural poverty issues.