DEP, Fish & Boat Commission Investigate Loyalsock Creek Contamination.state

The construction site is located on both sides of Route 87 and Royalsock Creek, about eight miles (8 miles) north of Montourville.

On September 5 (Labor Day), it was reported to DEP that a storm had lost erosion and sedimentation control, ejecting very large amounts of sediment onto Royalsock Creek several miles downstream of the construction site. Friends of the Socks.

“Effective control of erosion and sedimentation is essential to protect the water quality of Royal Sock. The failure of the PGE is a violation of the state’s Clean Streams Act,” said Friends of the ‘Sock spokesman. says Barb Jarmoska. “The failure of these regulations to work seriously threatens world-class fisheries and important recreational resources for the entire region.”

“Friends of the ‘Sock monitors the entire PGE project for compliance with strict environmental protection requirements,” Jarmoska said. Not only are they being built, there is construction going on at the foot of some of the houses.”

“We would like to thank both the DEP and the Fisheries Commission for their prompt response to this serious pollution incident,” Jarmoska said.

Loyalsock is classified by DEP as a special value stream that must be protected by law without degrading water quality. Creek has also been called a “timeless treasure” by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, where he was named the 2018 Pennsylvania River of the Year Award.

Royalsock Creek is home to the Eastern Hellbender, named the state’s official amphibian after a campaign by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation PA Student Leadership Council. It grows only in clean water. Click here for details.

Dr. Peter Petkas He is a recognized Hellbender Specialist at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Lycoming County.

On Sept. 12, Megan Lehman, spokesperson for DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office, said DEP’s oil and gas program staff had significant problems with erosion and sedimentation control during a routine inspection on Aug. 24, He said he was concerned when a muddy discharge of sediment into Royalsock Creek was discovered. She neglected to report to the agency.

“During this inspection, DEP officials observed multiple violations of the Clean Stream Act at the site, including unacceptable sediment discharge into Loyalsock Creek,” said Lehman.

“DEP has conducted multiple additional onsite inspections and is engaged in ongoing discussions with licensees and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regarding procedures to address issues at the site. “DEP has also received complaints from the public regarding issues with the site. DEP will continue to follow up appropriately.”

The DEP inspection report documents a nine-day site inspection from August 24th to September 9th, following up on ongoing issues with erosion control, which resulted in sediment-laden water reaching the site. from to Loyalsock Creek repeatedly discharged.

They include a list of violations, actions taken by the licensee, photos from the site, and DEP inspector notes.

Encourage the public to report problems

“Any member of the public concerned about this or any other potential environmental issue should contact their local DEP office at any time to file a complaint,” said Lehman. “Complaints can be made by phone or from a web form”

“DEP investigates all complaints and keeps the identity of the complaint confidential.”

For more information on specific follow-up activities, please contact Megan Lehman, DEP’s Environmental Community Relations Officer at 570-327-3659.

Captain Anthony Quarantino, Bellefonte’s Fish and Boat Commission Central Law Enforcement Office, said: There was a waterway maintenance officer who took care of us after the fact. [we were] A report has been received and is currently under investigation. ”

Captain Quarantino explains: Was something not maintained properly? All these kinds of things come into consideration when they’re looking into it. But again, that’s where we are now. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident. ”

The Fish and Boat Commission Regional Office Law Enforcement at Bellefonte can be reached by calling 814-359-5250.

Loyalsock is categorized by DEP as follows: exceptional value A river that preserves water quality by law and does not deteriorate. Creek has also been called a “timeless treasure” by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, where he was named the 2018 Pennsylvania River of the Year Award.

Royalsock Creek is home to the Eastern Hellbender, named the state’s official amphibian after a campaign by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation PA Student Leadership Council. It grows only in clean water. Click here for details.

Dr. Peter Petkas He is a recognized Hellbender expert at Lycoming College, Williamsport.

Pennsylvania General Energy has just begun construction of a high-pressure natural gas collection line that crosses under Loyalsock Creek and connects two parcels of State Forest it has leased from DCNR, adding up to 80 additional shale to the Loyalsock Valley area. Develop a gas well. Click here for details.

The project includes the construction of a total of 2.5 miles of natural gas collection pipelines up the steep slopes on either side of Loyalsock Creek, and the aboveground placement of freshwater pipelines up the same slopes.

PGE’s site preparation work on the banks of Loyalsock Creek includes clearcutting from the work area along Route 87 in Gamble Township and construction of the Coffer Dam on the creek.

Like most pipeline projects and drilling/fracking operations in the oil and gas industry, Pennsylvania General Energy’s (PGE) Royalsock/Shawnee project has crews from out of state (in this case, Texas) working on the project. I’m in.

They may not be familiar with Pennsylvania’s environmental regulations and requirements, and may not be aware of local river conditions, the impact of rainfall on steep terrain, or severe erosion and sedimentation causing runoff to Royalsock. I know how to build around problems.

Friends of the ‘Sock’s mission is to protect Loyalsock Creek and Valley and promote environmentally sustainable alternatives to shale gas and other developments.