KILBUCK TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Citizens got their chance to say their piece when it comes to the Kilbuck Township development project that caused a massive landslide months ago.

And comments added up to angry words and possible new regulations when it comes to big projects in the hands of small township leadership.

Sen. Jim Ferlo's words were tough, going so far as to call the landslide criminal negligence, and now he is calling on the state attorney general to investigate Kilbuck Township supervisors and the developer of the project.

Ferlo was further riled by the absence of those two parties at the meeting.

In attendance were geologic experts and officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Norfolk Southern and the state Department of Environmental Protection, all of whom said they can't guarantee that there won't be another landslide.

"There's no way there should be potential development on this site," said Ferlo. "And clearly, the sense of this committee is that no permit should be granted, and in fact, the whole process should start again from ground zero. And I think we're further saying the fact that we have a township that just waives critical warrants and critical requirements, just summarily dismisses the law and the zoning code. We really think that no permit should be issued."

One change that might affect development across the state is that some called for bigger and stricter regional oversight when it comes time to approve massive excavation projects like the one in Kilbuck Township.

If you're a resident and want to voice your concerns or opinions on the landslide, you can mail your comments and concerns to Harrisburg and they will be on the official record.

Craig D. Brooks
Joint Legislative Conservation Committee
House of Representatives
House Box 202254
Harrisburg, PA 17120

---

Related Links:
More County News

---