The Department of Environmental Protection Friday clarified the purpose of a February 25 public meeting and hearing to discuss an NPDES permit application and site-specific approval submitted by Clean Earth Inc. for the proposed Wellsboro Johnston Airport project in Tioga County.

The public meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., followed by the public hearing at 7:30 p.m., on February 25, at the Wellsboro Fire Department Annex, 21 East Ave., Wellsboro.

“Contrary to published reports, this meeting and hearing is not about expansion of the airport runway, and DEP’s Jan. 15 news release clearly stated that, if approved, treated drill cuttings could only be used as fill to support construction of a hanger and nowhere else on the property in this phase of the project,” DEP Northcentral Regional Director Marcus Kohl said.

Kohl added that the current site-specific DEP approval required under Clean Earth’s Research and Development General Permit is limited to that specific use.

“Any use of treated drill cuttings as fill for the runway expansion will require a separate request from Clean Earth and approval by our Waste Management program so we will not be discussing this issue on Feb. 25,” Kohl said.

If the company does make that request at some point in the future, Kohl said DEP would consider holding another public meeting and hearing so residents can provide input.

DEP said in its release, more information was available on the Northcentral Office’s Community Information webpage or by calling 570-327-3636.

2/2/2015