The Department of Environmental Protection held an informational meeting at the Adams Township Municipal Building Wednesday for the people who will see the effects of reopening Mine 78.

The D.E.P. is currently reviewing Rosebuds permit for reopening Mine 87. An official for Rosebud tells me, 70 to 80 jobs could be created, however thousands more may benefit.

Discharge from the Old Saint Michael Mine is considered by many the worst mine drainage around. Rosebud wants to mine up to Saint Michael and once there they will clean up the contaminated water, which feeds into the Conemaugh River among other streams. Residents from Saint Michael to Johnstown to even the Mississippi River would benefit from the cleaner water.

One resident we spoke with says bringing those waterways to life again is enough for him to support the reopening of the mine.

The spokesperson for Rosebud says, if approved to reopen the mine, it will take at least two to three years before they have mined far enough to start pumping out the Saint Michaels discharge.

Rich Klindworth, Channel 6 News.