The Department of Environmental Protection this week made available a draft Mine Families First Response and Communications Implementation Plan.

Comments are due on the plan by October 20.

The plan, developed by the Bureau of Mine Safety with assistance from the Mine Families First Response and Communication Advisory Council, outlines the steps that shall be taken by the Department and mine owners and operators to communicate with families of miners who are trapped or awaiting rescue. The Council finalized and approved the plan for public comment at its August 28 meeting.

On October 4, 2007, Gov. Rendell signed into law the ''Mine Families First Act.'' The purpose of this act is to provide assistance to the family members of persons who are trapped or awaiting rescue during an underground mine emergency.

The act assigns responsibilities to the Department, including the development of a Mine Families First Program as part of the Mine Emergency Response Program to ensure two-way communication between those persons in command of a mine emergency operation and the affected families through the mine family first liaison staff.

After completion of the review and comment period, the Department will make necessary revisions to the Plan and develop a final Plan for use as part of a mine emergency response program

Written comments should be submitted to Allison Gaida, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Mine Safety, 100 New Salem Road, Room 167, Uniontown, PA 15401 or send email to: agaida@state.pa.us .

For more information and a copy of the draft plan, visit the Mine Families First Response and Communication Advisory Council webpage.

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9/19/2008