WILLIAMSPORT – The Department of Environmental Protection has fined L. Robert Kimball & Associates Inc. $12,500 for violating the state’s Solid Waste Management Act and Clean Streams Law after it was discovered that an employee of the company falsified documents relating to the closure of three monitoring wells in Monroe Township, Snyder County.
“This was a very disturbing violation because it involved a deliberate attempt to deceive the department,” said DEP Regional Director Robert Yowell. “The falsification of data presented to us as factual will not be tolerated.”
In March 2006, Richard L. Holes — a professional engineer employed by the Ebensburg-based Kimball & Associates — sent a letter to DEP stating that the three monitoring wells had been abandoned in accordance with state regulations and the department’s Groundwater Monitoring Guidance manual. The letter also included completed copies of DEP well abandonment forms.
The monitoring wells had been installed as part of the Penn Valley Airport runway expansion project, which Kimball was contracted to design and provide construction oversight.
However, when DEP inspectors visited the site in April 2006 to ensure that the wells were sealed properly and that there was no potential for groundwater contamination, the three wells could not be located.
DEP received an e-mail from Holes in May 2006 admitting that two of the monitoring wells had been buried under at least seven feet of flyash, while the third well had collapsed and was removed.
Kimball was required to submit a new well abandonment plan to DEP, which was approved in June 2006.
Two of the monitoring wells were uncovered in August 2006 by a private contractor employed by Kimball. Those wells were properly grouted and closed.
The third well was not located until September and was then properly closed.
“Based on interviews conducted by DEP’s Bureau of Investigation, it appears that at least two subordinates of Holes at Kimball & Associates knew about the problem, but did not divulge the information,” Yowell said. “It’s very important for consultants to understand that DEP will be vigilant and verify the data it receives.”
The fine was paid to the Solid Waste Abatement Fund, which is used to pay for cleanups across the state.