Nature Abounds has applied for $250,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development to fund baseline water quality data for approximately 100 private water supplies in the Highland Street Extension area in Brady and Sandy Townships in Clearfield County.

“The residents and private water supplies in the Highland Street Extension area are under the gun right now,” said Melinda Hughes-Wert, President of Nature Abounds. “In addition to the proposed commercial injection well which would dispose of toxic liquids produced in association from natural gas drilling, they've also been told by a large natural gas drilling company that they plan to also put 2-3 unconventional drilling wells in the neighborhood within the next few years.

“Of course, we also have to remember that there's also abandoned coal mines in the area as well. Put it altogether...with one little mistake, the water supplies in this area could be in significant jeopardy,” added Hughes-Wert.

Nature Abounds application was submitted to the DCED with the support of four municipal governing boards: Clearfield County Commissioners, Brady Township officials, Sandy Township officials, and officials with the City of DuBois.

A statement from the Commissioners conveys, "We feel that recording the water quality of residential wells in this area will be key to determining any future impacts to groundwater supplies in the event of the federal Environmental Protection Agency issues a permit to allow the injection well proposed by Windfall Oil and Gas to be constructed on the Zelman property. Additionally, the baseline numbers will establish water quality numbers before any other drilling activities commence in the same area."  

DCED will meet in mid-November to make their decisions on who receives the funding.  If Nature Abounds application is approved, Hughes-Wert hopes to start the project in early 2014.

In addition to Nature Abounds, Mahaffey Laboratory of Curwensville along with BF Environmental Consultants and Carbon County Groundwater Guardians will also assist with the project.

For more information about Nature Abounds, visit the group’s website or call 814-765-1453. Nature Abounds is based in DuBois, PA. 

8/5/2013