Marcellus Shale: Counties Oppose DEP Action To Eliminate Permits By Conservation Districts

Eleven counties in the heart of Pennsylvania affected by Marcellus Shale drilling have issued a statement opposing the action by the Department of Environmental Protection to eliminated local conservation districts from the permit process for erosion and sedimentation and stream and wetlands in relation to the natural gas industry.

 

District 7 of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, which is comprised of Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming counties, opposes the decision by DEP.

 

In a statement, the commissioners said, "As county commissioners we believe local conservation districts are the best qualified to receive, manage and issue these permits. By retaining some local control we believe that our residents and the industry are better served.

 

"There are several aspects of the DEPfs decision with which counties are concerned: DEP has not sought comment about its new process from the public, conservation districts or local government officials, nor is DEP currently trained or staffed to manage and issue these permits in a responsible manner. This change will also eliminate municipal notices of drilling activity.

 

"Across our counties there have been many cases where landowners and industry were well served by the conservation districtf s experience and local knowledge, which DEP does not currently possess."

 

Susquehanna County Commissioner Mary Ann Warren stated gIfve witnessed the delay of DEP regarding permitting questions that causes the postponement of projects that are time sensitive; and industry, local governments and organizations that become frustrated."

 

"Conservation districts have been able to avoid potential landowner disputes regarding such things as pipeline or road placement. For decades they have issued permits and done their jobs to take into account erosion, sedimentation, streams and wetlands, which these permits are meant to protect. It appears it is the intention of DEP to engage in nothing more than a fast track approach to permitting pipelines and drilling sites."

 

CCAP District 7 Representative and Bradford County Commissioner Chairman Mark Smith stated, "Our conservation districts are respected among our local citizens. Conservation district employees are members of our local communities. They carry with them the dedication, pride and knowledge to do the work with the best interests of their residents in mind. They have experience beyond DEP in issuing these permits; they have done them for decades."

 

The full statement is available online.