In order to cash in on the slot machines that the State Legislature may or may not legalize… In order to cash in on the slot machines that the State Legislature may or may not legalize at racetracks, the city wants to build a horse-racing track on an area in Hays overlooking East Carson Street.

Mayor Tom Murphy advocates clearing this area by allowing a Beaver County developer to go forth with his proposed plan – peeling rock, soil and trees off, excavating coal found there via strip mining and leveling it for development.

Although this project, should it be approved, would be overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, the environmental impact of this action would not justify the limited returns reaped by the city.

Charles Betters, the developer, wants to strip mine the area in a process that would remove 13 million cubic yards of earth, according to a June 3 article in the Post-Gazette.

The area in question was previously the site of a coal mine. Betters plans to tap into the remaining coal seam. In addition, he proposed remedying problems left behind by the other mining companies, such as extinguishing an underground mine fire and filling polluted mine shafts. There are also plans for a 200-acre park surrounding the area.

These measures are not enough to quash concerns surrounding strip mines. Coal mining of any sort entails environmental problems: sulfuric acid runoff into surrounding rivers, erosion when root systems are removed and pollutants leaking into groundwater.

Murphy supports the plan, saying it would garner revenue for the city. These revenues would be temporary, as the mine would be filled in after the coal was excavated. Also, should mines produce runoff or erosion, the city might have to shoulder the clean-up cost, which would consume the revenues collected.

The racetrack, and the possibility of the slot machines, would be the city’s main benefit from the mine. Building a track is already a risk – public interest could make or tank the track, making it a revenue source or drain. Moreover, it would be in direct competition with established tracks, both in- and out-of-state.

The mine would benefit the company, not Pittsburgh. Jobs would be temporary and workers could be imported from outside of the state.

On top of taking an economic gamble on the racetrack, this city could suffer severe environmental damage to its landscape and waterways. Strip mining pits finance against environmentalism, with the former winning. Murphy should end his support of this plan and the planned track should move elsewhere.