The Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection is issuing a Notice of Violation to JKLM Energy
after the chemical release from JKLM’s Reese Hollow 118 well pad on
September 18, 2015. The wellpad is located in Sweden Township.
The Notice of Violation includes:
• Failure to prevent pollution of fresh groundwater;
• Drilling through fresh groundwater with a substance other than air, freshwater or freshwater based drilling fluids; and
• Violations of Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law.
DEP has had representatives in the area almost daily since September
21, collecting samples, meeting with property owners affected by the
release, and overseeing operations at the gas well. More than 60
individual water samples have been taken from residential water supplies
through September 29, 2015. DEP is continuing to test and analyze
residential and municipal water supplies for evidence of contamination.
DEP is also ensuring water supply replacement to affected residences,
including the Cole Memorial Hospital, which was transitioned to
municipal water sources as a precaution. The Department also
participated in a September 25, 2015 meeting with the Potter County
Commissioners, PEMA, Potter County EMA, Cole Memorial Hospital,
Coudersport Borough, and JKLM Energy.
According to JKLM estimates, approximately 98 gallons of surfactant
(F-485) was released to groundwater during top-hole drilling activities.
This surfactant included isopropanol at 10-15% concentration, which is
not approved for use when drilling through freshwater aquifers. The
surfactant was reportedly diluted in 22,000 gallons of water and also
included 35 gallons of rock oil, a paraffinic petroleum product used to
lubricate the drill bit. DEP is working to verify this information.
DEP is currently in discussions with JKLM Energy on cleanup and
remediation of the release. JKLM has also voluntarily suspended related
drilling activities at the Reese Hollow site.
If residents suspect contamination with their water supply, they should
contact DEP at 570-327-3636 immediately. Residents with impacted water
supplies should not use their water for drinking, washing or bathing.
Popular Posts
-
In its simplest form, etiquette is nothing more than doing the right thing at the right time for a particular situation. Some of these ru... -
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a web-based discussion forum to gather public input on how the...
-
ASMFC Atlantic Menhaden Board Initiates Addendum to Increase Abundance and Spawning Stock Biomass Arlington, VA – The Commission’s Atlanti...
-
Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board has initiated development of Draft Addendum III with the goals of r...
-
When you hire a guide on the Upper Delaware or anywhere else, don't make assumptions, check to see if your guide is licensed. On the...
-
Beginning February 1, 2014 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is decreasing sporting license fees. This pric...
-
It’s been an excellent water year so far and that's resulted in some very good drift boat fishing on the Upper Delaware. The Main Ste... -
Bill confirms outdoor recreation industry is a significant economic drive The bill, known as the Outdoor REC Act, passed the House...
-
Summer Trout Fishing on the Upper Delaware River It’s been an excellent water year so far and that's resulted in some very good fish... -
Low, turbid water poses a risk to spawning trout Anglers: please don't fish the Esopus Creek from the Shandaken Portal to the Asho...
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
New Strategic Plan Targets Current, Future Challenges to Fish and Aquatic Resources
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a new strategic
plan for its Fish and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) Program that will
address some of the nation’s greatest aquatic conservation challenges.
The plan provides an overarching strategic vision that will guide the
program’s annual operations for fiscal years 2016-2020.
Issues addressed in the document include habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation; overharvest; competition for water; introduction and establishment of invasive species; and climate change. Collectively, these ecological threats continue to pose significant risks to our nation’s aquatic resources.
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a long and proud history of conserving and protecting our nation’s fish and aquatic resources,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “The framework provided by the strategic plan will help us work with states, tribes, other federal agencies and our partners to protect aquatic species and their habitats for generations to come.”
The plan identifies seven interdependent goals, each representing a fundamental theme that is critical to accomplishing the mission of the FAC Program. The goals include:
• Conserving aquatic species.
• Conserving, restoring and enhancing aquatic habitats.
• Managing aquatic invasive species.
• Fulfilling tribal trust and subsistence responsibilities.
• Enhancing recreational fishing and other public uses of aquatic resources.
• Increase staffing levels, technical capabilities and natural and physical assets to fully meet the Service’s mission.
• Educating and engaging partners and the public to advance the Service’s conservation mission.
“The Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program is uniquely qualified to address the significant and constantly evolving conservation challenges facing our nation’s fish and aquatic resources,” said David Hoskins, Assistant Director of the FAC Program. “The strategic plan will help us direct our resources toward our highest priorities. As a result, we will be better positioned to fulfill the plan’s goals and will ensure the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program is fit for the future. We look forward to working with our many colleagues, partners and stakeholders to implement this new strategic plan for the benefit of all Americans.”
The plan builds on prior FAC strategic plans. In August 2014, a public comment period for the draft plan was announced on the FAC Program’s website. Comments were received from various individuals and organizations, including the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, eight U.S. states, seven federally recognized Tribal entities, Service staff, the American Fisheries Society, Trout Unlimited, the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, National Fisheries Friends Partnership, National Fish Habitat Partnership, the Booth Society, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
The Service’s FAC Program operates across the nation to recover and restore endangered, threatened and imperiled species, fulfill tribal trust and mitigation responsibilities, and conserve a wide range of fisheries and other aquatic resources. The program also works to restore habitat across the landscape, prevent and control invasive species, assist Native American tribes and other partners in managing their fish and wildlife resources, advance fisheries and aquatic sciences and technologies, foster outdoor recreational opportunities, educate the public on the economic and ecological benefits of aquatic species and their habitats, and address new and emerging challenges, such as climate change.
This complex conservation portfolio reflects the challenge of managing aquatic species at a national scale in the 21st century. The broad responsibilities of the FAC Program underscore the need for a focused vision and strategic plan to make smart, well-informed decisions that make the best use of limited resources for achieving the program’s mission and long-term conservation goals.
For information about the plan visit http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/pdf_files/FAC_StrategyPlan_2016-2020.pdf. For more information about the Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program visit http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/.
Issues addressed in the document include habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation; overharvest; competition for water; introduction and establishment of invasive species; and climate change. Collectively, these ecological threats continue to pose significant risks to our nation’s aquatic resources.
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a long and proud history of conserving and protecting our nation’s fish and aquatic resources,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “The framework provided by the strategic plan will help us work with states, tribes, other federal agencies and our partners to protect aquatic species and their habitats for generations to come.”
The plan identifies seven interdependent goals, each representing a fundamental theme that is critical to accomplishing the mission of the FAC Program. The goals include:
• Conserving aquatic species.
• Conserving, restoring and enhancing aquatic habitats.
• Managing aquatic invasive species.
• Fulfilling tribal trust and subsistence responsibilities.
• Enhancing recreational fishing and other public uses of aquatic resources.
• Increase staffing levels, technical capabilities and natural and physical assets to fully meet the Service’s mission.
• Educating and engaging partners and the public to advance the Service’s conservation mission.
“The Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program is uniquely qualified to address the significant and constantly evolving conservation challenges facing our nation’s fish and aquatic resources,” said David Hoskins, Assistant Director of the FAC Program. “The strategic plan will help us direct our resources toward our highest priorities. As a result, we will be better positioned to fulfill the plan’s goals and will ensure the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program is fit for the future. We look forward to working with our many colleagues, partners and stakeholders to implement this new strategic plan for the benefit of all Americans.”
The plan builds on prior FAC strategic plans. In August 2014, a public comment period for the draft plan was announced on the FAC Program’s website. Comments were received from various individuals and organizations, including the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, eight U.S. states, seven federally recognized Tribal entities, Service staff, the American Fisheries Society, Trout Unlimited, the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, National Fisheries Friends Partnership, National Fish Habitat Partnership, the Booth Society, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
The Service’s FAC Program operates across the nation to recover and restore endangered, threatened and imperiled species, fulfill tribal trust and mitigation responsibilities, and conserve a wide range of fisheries and other aquatic resources. The program also works to restore habitat across the landscape, prevent and control invasive species, assist Native American tribes and other partners in managing their fish and wildlife resources, advance fisheries and aquatic sciences and technologies, foster outdoor recreational opportunities, educate the public on the economic and ecological benefits of aquatic species and their habitats, and address new and emerging challenges, such as climate change.
This complex conservation portfolio reflects the challenge of managing aquatic species at a national scale in the 21st century. The broad responsibilities of the FAC Program underscore the need for a focused vision and strategic plan to make smart, well-informed decisions that make the best use of limited resources for achieving the program’s mission and long-term conservation goals.
For information about the plan visit http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/pdf_files/FAC_StrategyPlan_2016-2020.pdf. For more information about the Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program visit http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)