CONNOQUENESSING TWP — State officials will work on a mine that blew out in February along Semiconon Run.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Abandoned and Mine Reclamation investigated the blowout, which witnesses say sent muddy-brown water gushing down from the rock face and into the creek. Semiconon Run serves as a tributary to Little Connoquenessing Creek.

Melanie Williams, the bureau's community relations coordinator, said the bureau plans to undertake a $4,540 project to secure the mine's entrance. DEP does not know the name of the mine.

“DEP has received approval from the property owners to install a wet seal on the mine opening in order to limit the safety risk associated with the site,” Williams said.

She said the property owners approved the proposal May 23, and the work will be conducted by DEP personnel.

Sealing a mine reduces the amount of water entering or works to reduce or prevent oxidation of the minerals in the flowing water, according to standards by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Wet seals, typically made from materials such as masonry, concrete, grouted limestone or clay, are placed at the mouths of mines and provide air locks while allowing water to discharge, according to the service's standards.

Rex Coen, a resident who lives on Semiconon Lane, was one of the witnesses to the blowout. Coen said he has not received any new information from the DEP. He said he is also not satisfied with a simple procedure

“It's probably something that keeps someone from falling in or having an accident, but it doesn't correct any of the leakage,” Coen said.

Coen said he would like to see a passive treatment of the mine drainage instead.

“I know they have one of those at (Camp) Lutherlyn and it works pretty well,” he said.

Camp Lutherlyn, a summer camp in the township, uses a series of settling ponds combined with filtrating plants to treat their body of water.

Coen said he is worried about the effects on the creek and the neighborhood.