ELR Citation: ELR 20336
No(s). 89 (Pa. Mar 16, 1973)

The Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law requires in operator of an active mine to treat any acid drainage discharge, including the drainage of adjacent inactive mines necessary to protect the active works. Citing extensively from the history and language of the statute, the court upholds the state Sanitary Water Board's refusal to grant permits for untreated discharge into surface waters of acid drainage originating in inactive mines. The requirement of treatment is not so onerous as to constitute an unreasonable or arbitrary exercise of the police power.

Counsel for Appellant
K.W. James Rochow
Stanley R. Wolfe Assistant Attorneys General
709 Health & Welfare Bldg.
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Counsel for Amicus Curiae The Environmental Protection Agency
Daniel J. Synder, III Regional Counsel
Jacob P. Hart Director, Enforcement Division
James J. Seeley Assistant Regional Counsel
The Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
Curtis Building — 2nd Floor
6th and Walnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA

Counsel for Amici Curiae Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Inc., Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc., Pennsylvania State Council of Trout Unlimited and League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
John D. Killian
Killian & Gephart
216-218 Pine Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Curtin Winsor
President, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Inc.
313 South 16th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Counsel for Appellee
Harold R. Schmidt
K. Leroy Irvis
Henry McC. Ingram
Edmund M. Carney
Michael W. Balfe
Rose, Schmidt and Dixon
919 Oliver Building
Pittsburgh, PA 15222