The following message concerns the Pennsylvania SHPO situation. It was given to Dan Roberts at John Milner Associates by Representative Phyllis Mundy for distribution to concerned parties on the Internet. Dan asked me to give it as wide a distribution as possible. Please feel free to pass it along to other individuals and lists that may be interested. I apologize for duplicate postings in advance. Tom Wheaton Executive Director ACRA >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> From: Pennsylvania Rep. Phyllis Mundy Re: Attached Press Release on Archeological Resources March 1, 1996 The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will no longer be able to protect the historic archeological resources of the Commonwealth when they are impacted by residential or industrial development that requires Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permits. Prior to the passage of Act 70 in 1996, developers were required, as a condition of receiving DEP permits, to either avoid known significant archeological sites or to bear the costs of archeological surveys and data recovery. Act 70 shifted the burden to fund archeology on DEP permitted sites to the PHMC. Despite commitments, the Governor's 1996-1997 Budget provides no funding to PHMC to carry out Act 70 duties. See attached press release. Questions contact: Rep. Phyllis Mundy (717) 783-1614 or Michael Cassidy (717) 787-4989 OFFICE OF DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION PA House of Representatives G-01 South Office Building House Box 202229 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2229 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Bill Patton (717) 787-7895 PHMC Lacks Funding to Keep Promise; Sites Will Be Lost HARRISBURG, March 1 -- Under questioning from Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission revealed Thursday that it is unable to keep its commitment to protect historic archeological resources. In the past, developers seeking state permits were required to redesign development to avoid significant archeological sites or pay the cost of archeological surveys and recovery. Act 70 of 1995 removed the incentive for developers to avoid sites and shifted survey costs to the PHMC. Under the new law, developers only are required to give the commission 90 days to complete archeological work. That is assuming the commission has funds to do the work. In response to Mundy's direct question, PHMC Executive Director Dr. Brent Glass informed the House Appropriations Committee that there are no new funds to carry out the commission's new duties. He said that 80 permit applications have been filled since the new law took effect at the end of January and that six of those sites have been found to contain significant archeological resources. Glass further admitted that "some sites will be lost." "I and many of my colleagues voted for the bill because we were assured by the commission and the governor's office that the funds would be made available to protect the information these historic sites hold," said Mundy. "I withdrew an amendment to the bill based on those commitments. "As it worked out," Mundy added, "Pennsylvania loses some of its precious historical heritage. And we are doing this at the same time that we are trying to promote heritage tourism as an important economic development strategy."