A bulldozer can destroy 9,000 years of history in 15 minutes

[Divernan]

(I cross posted this in latest breaking news. Your rec.s would be appreciated there to get it on the greatest page so it will be seen by DUers in all the other fracking states.)

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11128/1144994-178.stm#ixzz1LkvtNaDi

State's laws offer little shale drilling protection to archaeological sites

A construction site must be 10 acres or larger before the state History Code, or Title 37, takes effect. Construction sites under 10 acres are exempted, meaning there is no state oversight whatsoever on these sites. Drill pads for Marcellus Shale sites are often under 10 acres.

But even for sites over 10 acres, legislation passed in 1995 requires the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, rather than the company or permit applicant, to pay for archaeological surveys or field work under a tight 120-day deadline.

The Act 70 amendment gave the historical and museum commission new responsibilities with no additional funding. So the commission lacks sufficient resources to do any field operations, commission spokesman Howard Pollman said, noting its role nowadays involves issuing recommendations.

The Department of Environmental Protection alerts the historical and museum commission to do a site assessment for cultural resources if the site is 10 or more acres, but does not base its permitting decisions on the commission's findings. Other state agencies are not required to seek commission advice on projects or follow its recommendations.