The brochure tells us that Susquehanna County is a wonderful place to live, raise a family and recreate. Unfortunately, the employment opportunities here are rather limited. 50 years ago, farming and logging were two of the larger industries here, but no longer. It seems that the Bluestone industry has, hands down, taken the lead for employment and dollars generated here. Although many people are glad for the employment, there are several major issues which have developed as a result of the large, almost explosive growth of the industry over the past 10 years.
Since Bluestone is obtained by surface mining, permits need to be obtained to harvest the stone. As we all know, the word “harvest” is somewhat inaccurate as there will be only one harvest - ever. What is left behind, depends entirely upon the operator’s desire to do the right thing. Yes, a bond has to be obtained to protect the land, but the bond would only cover a small part of restoration of the land in many cases.
Then there is the question about erosion and sedimentation. Yes, retention ponds are required, but how they are maintained is based at least in some measure on the operator. There have been and probably will continue to be operators who, out of ignorance, greed or laziness allow their ponds to run off into the watershed, creating streams which look as if milk has been dumped in them.
Certainly, there have been allegations made by many as to illegal aliens working in the quarries. Let’s not sugar coat this, if there are illegals working here, this is just wrong. Virtually all of us here had, at some time in their family’s history an ancestor who came here, probably through Ellis Island - legally. There are people here today who come in to this country in roughly the same manner as was done a hundred years ago. Yes, they do jobs that our own citizens don’t want to do, but does that make it “right”? It is fairly well known that the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has their hands full and really doesn’t want to hear about illegals in the Bluestone industry. Why?
There is the issue of the destruction of the roads and bridges, not to mention the increase in truck traffic on roads which were probably designed for a horse and wagon. Is the road issue being addressed by Penndot? Probably not. Is this being addressed by Local and County officials, other than to say “We support you and we are concerned” but nothing gets done?
Finally, there is the matter of the end product. All around the county we will probably wind up with gaping holes in our mountains, denuded of woods, having created an area which cannot retain water which will runoff into our streams.
Everyone should be able to have the ability to make a living here. The bigger question should be “At what cost to the remainder of the land owners of Susquehanna County?”
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