The article in The Valley Independent July 9 was no less than an insult to the intelligence of its readers. Are we really expected to believe that to change the type of mining in one 500-foot section of all the miles of coal in Fallowfield Township is going to cause the cataclysmic effects you have projected• Even if Maple Creek had to work only half of one of the panels to protect the perennial stream in question, thereby adhering to the existing laws of Pennsylvania, would the profits of millions be lessened by that much? Obviously I don’t know how much profit is to be made or what small portion would be lost in this situation but do you know what that stream is worth to the family farm that depends on its fresh water for their animals• Have you managed to put a price on the plants and wild animals that rely on that stream being there for them all year long• Possibly you’ve devised a way to calculate the value of hundreds of hours of wholesome pleasure that the children from this area have had from that same stream. If Maple Creek Mine is working this entire project on such a shoestring budget that they can’t lose one small section of coal, and if the preliminary work did not include information on all of the existing conditions and the corresponding laws, don’t blame the D.E.P. and please don’t try to make people get upset about layoffs and spiraling economic affects. Nearly everyone in Fallowfield Township has friends and/or relatives who work for one mine or another. No one, not the residents and certainly not the D.E.P., has done anything to put a mine out of business. Neither do we expect to be made fools of by believing that article. Homeowners have to live with the consequences of mining. We have to buy yet another insurance for years to come. We have to put up with numerous major and minor inconveniences through no fault of our own. I think we’ve been reasonable and will continue to be. I think Maple Creek mine should be, also. Sue FineFallowfield Township

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