IMPACT OF RIVER DREDGE PLAN ON HAZLETON CALLS FOR CAREFUL STUDY Some time ago, the Redevelopment Authority made an agreement to purchase land owned by Pagnotti Enterprises, a coal operation, to purchase some of its abandoned mine lands for the purpose of building an amphitheatre for the community. Apparently it would take approximately 23 million cubic yards of material to fill the mine pits. Instead of filling the mine pits with material from the many coal banks in the area including some which might be on the Pagnotti property, there is now discussion of filling the pits with river dredge from the Delaware River near Philadelphia. This material would have to be hauled 100 miles to fill the area, and would cost a geat deal of money for the hauling. This idea seems to have raised many questions about the effect of filling the mines with toxic material from the river, which should be discussed by the community before decisions are made which could affect not only the physical health of the community but also its financial health.

According to the Army Corps of Engineers who were in charge of the Delaware deepening project, the dredged material was to restore wetlands in New Jersey and Delaware, but those States apparently refused to allow the material to be dumped there, and the dumping project was to take approximately six years. The report also said that the dredged material should have little adverse impact to groundwater quality. In 2002, the General Accounting Office made an independent review, and found that the Army Corps grossly misrepresented the costs and benefits, and that the project contained a number of materials errors. The GAO did not investigate the environment studies and assertions provided by the Army Corps, but it did point out areas of need or further review.

One of the first questions for the Hazleton area to question is why it is being considered to acquire all of the waste material from 100 miles away at the tremendous cost of hauling as well as it’s possible effects on the thousands of heavy trucks on the highways for years. Is it because of the Delaware River communities wanting to get it out of their area for their own health benefits, or is it because it would be worthwhile for the truckers who would receive substantial income from the hauling, and do any of these truckers have an affiliation with our local political authorities? If there is that possibility, it might have an effect which is good for them, but which is not a help to our community. The state of New Jersey has refused to accept the river dredge and its border is along the Delaware River and hauling would be minimal.

All of these possibilities should be discussed by the people of Pennsylvania who could be adversely affected by the burying the dredge in the State. The possible benefits to the State of the filling of the coal mine pits with the river dredge should be discussed as well as the possible negative long-range costs. It is possible that the material has toxic materials that could be buried under the amphitheatre which would be expensive to build, and people might hesitate to go to the amphitheatre if they thought that their health might be affected. These are some of the factors which should be examined and discussed publicly for the reaction of the people whose health would be affected as well and their finances. This could affect the pure drinking water which we have in the area.

Not only is the City of Hazleton affected by this burial proposal. We must remember that Hazleton is the highest city in Pennsylvania. If all of this material is buried at the top of a mountain, what happens when a storm like Hurricane Agnes occurs in the area. The flooding in the area in the creeks and rivers and lakes in the area would all be affected by the water running down the mountain from Hazleton in all directions. The flooding waters would affect the amphitheatre and travel all around the area with the possible toxic material. The tributaries to the Delaware River could also carry the material back to the Delaware River from which it originated without having to truck it there.

Would being knowing as a "dump"encourage new businesses to come to the area or new people to settle here? CAN-DO should do their own study to see how their work would be affected in trying to acquire factories for the area. Why should the community take a chance in complicating all of the positive work it has been doing when there are so many local coal banks which have the material which could be used and the land which is now being occupied by coal banks being used for development or scenic natural attractions? If the current proposal is put into effect and health or other factors are harmed by the refuse, it could discourage other people from coming here and cause losses in the value of homes and business buildings because of the lack of buyers of our real estate.

This could be an opportunity for the newspaper to study the benefits and risks involved in the current discussion about the possibility of us becoming a refuse dump instead of the attraction of the amphitheatre. With all of the risks (and only a few have been included here) and little benefits, the community should become involved in this project.

Bernard H. Kline, CPA

87 N. Church St.

Hazleton, PA 18201

570-455-7541