Oil Spill Cleanup Continues
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
The state Department of Environmental Protection isn't sure yet exactly how much damage was done by Thursday's oil spill on Hedgehog Lane, but they do know the cleanup will take days.
DEP spokeswoman Freda Tarbell tells WESB and The HERO they are monitoring the cleanup effort that will take "a number of days before it's completed."
She said today cleanup crews are doing some pumping as well as changing out booms and pads to absorb the crude that was spilled.
About 1,400 gallons of crude spilled from an open valve on a tank owned by Schreiner Oil & Gas Company of Massillon, Ohio. At this point, officials are saying it was an accident, but they are still investigating.
As for the impact on the environment and how much of the oil was contained, Tarbell said they "don't have a firm handle on that yet."
She did say some of the oil did flow to an unnamed tributary and into Marilla Brook.
Tarbell said she hasn't heard any reports of a fish kill "but that's still an open question at this point."
This is not the first time DEP has dealt with Schreiner.
Late last month DEP ordered Schreiner to provide a permanent solution to water supply issues at two homes the company’s drilling activity impacted near Hedgehog Lane. DEP previously determined that the company was liable for affecting the water supplies of homes in that area of Bradford Township. Water supplies at seven homes have been restored, but the problem remains unresolved at two other residences.
DEP took samples at both homes over several months to confirm its findings. Among the contaminants identified were total dissolved solids, chlorides, manganese, iron, dissolved methane and ethane gas.
Schreiner has been actively drilling combination oil and gas wells in the area since 2008 and DEP says they did not establish background water quality in the area prior to drilling.
The order, which was issued Feb. 23, also directs the company to continue maintaining the other seven water supplies and to improve cement casing at three of its drilled oil/gas wells to prevent groundwater contamination.
Until the gas migration issue is resolved fully, Schreiner cannot drill any new wells.
WESB/WBRR News Director
The state Department of Environmental Protection isn't sure yet exactly how much damage was done by Thursday's oil spill on Hedgehog Lane, but they do know the cleanup will take days.
DEP spokeswoman Freda Tarbell tells WESB and The HERO they are monitoring the cleanup effort that will take "a number of days before it's completed."
She said today cleanup crews are doing some pumping as well as changing out booms and pads to absorb the crude that was spilled.
About 1,400 gallons of crude spilled from an open valve on a tank owned by Schreiner Oil & Gas Company of Massillon, Ohio. At this point, officials are saying it was an accident, but they are still investigating.
As for the impact on the environment and how much of the oil was contained, Tarbell said they "don't have a firm handle on that yet."
She did say some of the oil did flow to an unnamed tributary and into Marilla Brook.
Tarbell said she hasn't heard any reports of a fish kill "but that's still an open question at this point."
This is not the first time DEP has dealt with Schreiner.
Late last month DEP ordered Schreiner to provide a permanent solution to water supply issues at two homes the company’s drilling activity impacted near Hedgehog Lane. DEP previously determined that the company was liable for affecting the water supplies of homes in that area of Bradford Township. Water supplies at seven homes have been restored, but the problem remains unresolved at two other residences.
DEP took samples at both homes over several months to confirm its findings. Among the contaminants identified were total dissolved solids, chlorides, manganese, iron, dissolved methane and ethane gas.
Schreiner has been actively drilling combination oil and gas wells in the area since 2008 and DEP says they did not establish background water quality in the area prior to drilling.
The order, which was issued Feb. 23, also directs the company to continue maintaining the other seven water supplies and to improve cement casing at three of its drilled oil/gas wells to prevent groundwater contamination.
Until the gas migration issue is resolved fully, Schreiner cannot drill any new wells.
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