Standard-Speaker from Hazleton, Pennsylvania • Page 19

Standards Speaker THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1996 Page 19 Siiceess story State mine official visits reclaimed site in Tomhicken 9 t. By ED CONRAD Standard-Speaker Staff Writer the oldest of old-timers iin the Tomhicken area remembers nothing but utter devastation on a large tract of land a mile east of the village. wonder, since it was the grimy scene of deep mining for decades and later received another black eye by surface-mining operations. one word could have described the environmental deterioration: ugly. But now, following the completion of a 45-acre abandoned mine reclamation project, the area has been transformed into a pleasant sight.

"When you see the result, it's terrific," said Robert C. Dolence, the state's Department of Environmental Protection deputy secretary for Mineral Resources, during a tour of the site Wednesday. "We've eliminated hazards and we've improved the environment." The nine-month project, which cost $920,327, also will help the area regain its natural beauty, enhanced by the return of wildlife. Dolence said it won't be long EllEn O'CONNELLStanaard-SpeaKar Larry Dobash, a mining engineer for the Department of Environmental Protection, who served as project engineer for the 45-acre abandoned mine reclamation project just off the Tomhicken Road, expained what was done to complete the $920,327 project during a tour of the site Wednesday. before the spring rains turn the brownish vegetation into a plush carpet of greenery.

Planting seed has been one of the final efforts at the site in Sugarloaf Township little more than two miles west of Exit 41 of Interstate 81. The project actually was technically and manually completed for the most part just before Labor Day last year. Dolence proudly pointed to the creation of 1.2 acres of wetlands as part of the reclamation effort. "Abandoned mine sites are symbols of Pennsylvania's role in the industrial revolution," he said. "Restoring wetlands and habitat represents our recognition that we are stewards for generations to come." In a symbolic gesture, Dolence joined others in planting native wetland plants including American three-square, giant bur-reed, cattail and wild rice seed.

He said the purpose of his visit was to bring attention to DEP's involvement in Earth Day. That's what we mean by our Earth Day theme, 'Taking the First said Dolence. The project was done by East Ridge Mining Inc. of Johnstown which backfilled and graded about 1,400 feet of near-vertical highwall ranging in depth from 30 to over 200 feet. The large stripping pit was filled with water that in some areas approached depths of 90 feet.

I f. 7 i that once flowed into the stripping pit now enters the wetland area and eventually flows to the Black Creek. At the west end, a low-lying area was graded to allow for the eventual emergence of wetlands. In addition, several brush piles and stone piles were formed to serve as wildlife habitats. Throughout the project, nesting devices such as bluebird and wood duck boxes also were installed by DEP crews.

Larry Dobash, a mining engineer who served as project engineer, said that deer, turkey and waterfowl have been seen foraging on the site. Other tracts that also were turned into eyesores by the coal mining industry have been reclaimed in the Hazleton area such as in Jeddo and Beave Meadows. Another project, west of the Tomhicken site, is being prepared by DEP for eventual construction. To date, more than 500 acres have been reclaimed in Luzerne County under the Abandoned Mine Land Program and more are under construction or being designed for competitive bidding. Over the past 18 years, 1,006 reclamation projects have been undertaken by the state.

The total cost, involving 21,193 acres, amounted td $270,323,580. Please see MINE, page 29 ELLEN O'CONNELLStandard-Speaker With the hopes of regaining wildlife to the area, Robert C. Dolence, from left, the state's Department of Environmental Protection's deputy secretary for mineral resources, Dennis Palladino, DEP's mining engineer who was the project designer, and Steve Hedishr, DEP's hydrolic engineer technician, planted cattails in the wetlands of a 45-acre abandoned mine reclamation project Wednesday morning. Hazleton Chiropractic Associates, Inc Judge holds fast on Skitzki's OH, TERRANCS M. EYERLY DR.

GARY P. McGEE Automobile Accidents Pinched Nerves Whiplash Sports Injuries Physiotherapy Exercise Counseling WE'RE IN THE OFFICE TODAY! West Hazleton 19E. Broad St 455-5822 NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME! On the involuntary manslaughter conviction, Mundy sentenced Skitzki to 2 Vi to five years, while giving the defendant one to two years on the reckless endangerment count. The sentences for those two convictions will run at the same time as the aggravated assault sentence. All of the sentences exceded state guidelines.

It is legal for judges to go beyond the guidelines, but they must state the decision for doing so at the time of sentencing. The Superior Court panel found Mundy did not do so. In explaining his actions, Mundy said he based his deci Good Rates! Any Driver or Age DUl, Accidents Easy Payments mm 459-5060 Next to Key Theatre, West Hazleton i Easter Sundav fed Work crews excavated and graded up to 900,000 cubic yards of spoil and reconstructed 1,700 feet of stream channel. Funding for the project came from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Trust Fund which is supported financially by coal mine operators. They are assessed a fee of 35 cents a ton on surface-mined coal and 15 cents per ton on deep-mined coal.

A highlight of the Tomhicken project was the incorporation of the wetland areas. Near the the center of the site is a one-acre wetland where organic materials are being installed to serve as a growth medium. Meanwhile, a small stream sentence sion on Skitzki having prior brushes with the law concerning assaultive behavior, though there was only one misdemeanor conviction. Also, Mundy said Skitzki has shown emotional problems that Please see SKITZKI, page 29 SKOTEK OIL AND COAL SALES HEATING 85' 929-2731 Invest in Nationwide's Money Market Fund. Current yields Liquidity without penalties Unlimited free checking No past price fluctuations Low minimum deposit No sales charge Robert A.

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Nauonwtd is on your sid HantOAar Cofamous. OH 14004484920 A mawy nwrtm tad is wtm nsured nor guaranteed By me Government and twe a no issunrn 4 on manun a oonsiM SI 00 snam pro Neoormde is treasured federal seivice nun ot Natamdi Muuu insurance Company needs of the defendant." 'To impose a lesser sentence would detract from the seriousness of the crime, the value of the life lost, and would have no impact, rehabilitative or otherwise, on this defendant," Mundy wrote. As a result, Skitzki will have to spend at least five to 10 years at a state corectional institute. The sentence is for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one of several offenses a jury convicted Skitzki of following a trial last year. The jury acquitted Skitzki of the more serious charge of homicide, but found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment.

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1994, shooting death of Stacey Marie Gullick. In doing so, Mundy refused to back off a sentence he earlier gave to the defendant that was vacated by the Superior Court. According to Mundy, his decision to go beyond the normal sentencing guidelines was "consistent with the protection of the public, consistent with the gravity of the offense and its impact on the community, and consistent with the rehabilitative April 13th Includes Living Waters Show Dinner NOW TRY GENTLE CHIROPRACTIC Proven effective with: Back Pain QHeadache Neck Pain Arm Pain Hip Pain QLeg Pain Arthritis Bursitis MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED I FREE CONSULTATION ft EXAM Call 459-2626 Dr. Charles T. Kennedy 1 063 Sherman Court Hazleton Naomi's Garden Center 788-5283 LARGE SELECTION OF TULIPS MUMS GARDENIAS HYACINTHS AZALEAS LILIES OPEN 9 to 6 Turn at Zippy' off 309 1.7 ml.

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