WILLIAMSPORT — The Department of Environmental Protection is investigating the illegal disposal of several thousands gallons of an unknown material late on May 20 or early on May 21 near the Deer Crossing Inn, located just off state Route 14 in McIntyre Township, Lycoming County.
“There is no question that the material was deliberately discharged from a tanker truck with a hose into a privately owned field,” said DEP North-central Regional Director Nels Taber. “The brown, gravy-like material was dumped within 250 feet of the Deer Crossing Inn’s drinking water well and even closer to Lycoming Creek.”
DEP emergency response program staff investigated on Friday after receiving a complaint and noted that the material had a strong chlorine odor. Samples were collected but the results have not yet been received.
Because rain was forecast and the material was fairly close to a creek and drinking water well, DEP used special funds to hire a contractor, Eagle Towing and Recovery, to clean up the material. It took three large tri-axle dump trucks to haul material, along with some topsoil, to the Wayne Township Landfill in Clinton County for proper disposal.
“DEP is asking that if anyone has any information about this incident, or saw any suspicious activity near the Deer Crossing Inn that night, to please call us,” Taber said. “We want to apprehend the individuals responsible for this brazen act and make sure that they are prosecuted. This cleanup has cost state taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.”
Anyone with information should call Tony Martinelli with the department’s Bureau of Investigations at 570-220-3110.