The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has extended a permit authorizing Norfolk Southern to continue its second phase of contaminated soil excavation and removal in Norwich Township, McKean County, at the site of the June 30, 2006 train derailment that caused sodium hydroxide to flow into Big Fill Hollow.

DEP issued a 30-day permit on December 20 to allow the second phase work to begin. Project construction was well underway when heavy rains in early January washed out the work that had been done. With the likelihood that weather conditions could interfere with the project again, DEP extended the permit period until March 19 to allow for future weather-related delays.

The activity covered by the permit will focus on the west side of the Norfolk Southern tracks where wetlands and riparian areas of Big Fill Run and Sinnemahoning Portage Creek were destroyed when sodium hydroxide spilled from derailed tanker cars and flowed into Big Fill Run and then overflowed into adjacent areas.

“Removing the contaminated soil will help to stop the seepage of sodium hydroxide, halting the ongoing contamination of the stream,” DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch said. “Replacement soil will be brought in to serve as the basis for the next step—seeding, mulching and restoration of wetland and surrounding areas.”

The permit allows Norfolk Southern to temporarily divert a portion of the Big Fill Hollow watercourse, excavate and restore the Big Fill floodway, build a temporary clean water ditch through the floodway, and construct groundwater collection devices within the floodway watercourse that will be removed once the project is completed.

The area to be restored includes approximately an acre of stream, wetlands and upland that were damaged by the spill and another two acres that were disturbed due to cleanup work, equipment storage and road construction.

All excavated material must be disposed of at a permitted landfill and all disturbed areas must be restored to the original contours and replanted with native, indigenous plant species.

Work on the west side of the Norfolk Southern tracks follows similar work that was completed on the east side of the tracks in mid-December when nearly 3,000 tons of contaminated soils were removed and disposed of at permitted landfills.

The June 30 spill wiped out fish and aquatic life in Big Fill Run and an 11-mile segment of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek. It also affected aquatic life in the Driftwood Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek. The effects of the spill were observed as far as 30 miles downstream from the derailment site, with much of the impact in Cameron County.

As much as 42,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda or lye, spilled from three tanker cars in the derailment. An unknown amount of sodium hydroxide soaked into the ground in and around the derailment site. This residual material must be addressed and cleaned up to ensure a complete recovery of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek, which is designated as an exceptional value and wild trout stream.

On Oct. 19, DEP announced $8.89 million in penalties against Norfolk Southern for violations of the state’s Clean Streams Law related to unpermitted discharges and the state’s Solid Waste Management Act and Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act related to the unpermitted disposal of wastes and the release of hazardous substances because of the accident.

On Sept. 22, DEP Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty visited Emporium, Cameron County, and issued an order to Norfolk Southern establishing legally-binding milestones and objectives to ensure the company cleans up the ground contamination and fully restores the area to pre-spill conditions.

The spill took place in an area designated by Governor Rendell as the Pennsylvania Wilds, a 6.5 million-acre region covering 12 counties in the north-central portion of the state that is renowned for its spectacular scenery and wildlife and contains 1.6 million acres of state forest and game lands.

Labels: gardeau, spill, train wreck

The Endeavor reports:
second public meeting will be scheduled in the coming weeks to share more details on the proposal to dissolve the current county, borough and township governments and make Cameron County one large governmental unit. Commissioners Tony Moscato, Patrick Rodgers and Glen Fiebig are pushing the plan as a long-term solution to the county's mounting economic problems.
for the complete story, pick up this week's edition of the Cameron Potter Endeavor!

Labels: cameron county, endeavor

WFRM reports: The Pennsylvania Game Commission says its is partnering with the National Aviary and Carnegie Museum of Natural History to evaluate how eastern golden eagles migrate through Pennsylvania, and identify areas of potential conflict that migrating eagles face from the developing wind energy program in the Commonwealth. The commission says
the possible increase of wind power on Appalachian ridges may threaten golden eagles as they travel their historic migratory corridor that follows these mountains through Pennsylvania to reach their nesting grounds in eastern Canada or wintering grounds in the southern reaches of the mountain chain. Since all known eastern golden eagle migratory routes track over the Appalachian Mountains, possibly along or in close proximity to ridges targeted for wind power development, the Game Commission must ensure the well-being of this state and federally-protected species - as well as other wildlife - as this growing industry sites turbines between the state's Allegheny Front and Blue or Kittatinny Ridge. The study will use gps transmitters to track the eagles as they fly over Pennsylvania. The data will be used to generate maps to show the specific route usually taken.
from wfrm.net

Labels: wfrm, wildlife

WFRM reports: Troopers are charging 50 year old Faith Banks of Emporium with harassment for making several harassing phone calls last Thursday to 37 year old Robert Cornelius of Roulette.
from wfrm.net

Labels: emporium, police, wfrm

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Applications for the state's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for 2006 are now available, announced Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).

These are the first applications available under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006 (Act 1), which expanded eligibility for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

The new law increases the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 for homeowners and boosts the maximum rebate from $500 to $650. Those who apply should deduct half of any Social Security - including Medicare premiums - or railroad retirement benefits from other income when determining eligibility.

The program benefits people who are 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and disabled people 18 or older. Individuals and married couples who meet the age and income requirements can apply for a rebate based on the amount of property tax or rent they paid during the previous year. The rebate breakdown is as follows:

Income Level	Homeowners Maximum Rebate	Renters Maximum Rebate
0-$8,000	$650	$650
$8,001-$15,000	$500	$500
$15,001-$18,000	$300	Not applicable
$18,001-$35,000	$250	Not applicable

Applicants can receive a property tax or rent rebate only on a residence they occupied during the period for which a rebate is claimed. Applications must be filed by June 30.

Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately.

To receive a Property Tax/Rent Rebate application, contact one of Causer's offices:

· 78 Main Street, First Floor, in Bradford, telephone 814-362-4405.

· 2 Allegany Avenue in Coudersport, telephone 814-274-9769.

Applications are also available online at RepCauser.com.

Labels: cameron county, causer, taxes