PITTSBURGH – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold a public hearing on an application from Sammy-Mar LLC to drill a new injection disposal well in Huston Township, Clearfield County.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 28 at the Penfield Grange Hall, 12255 Bennetts Valley Hwy., Penfield, PA 15849.
Both DEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must approve permits for this proposed injection well.
EPA’s permits oversee the material that is injected into the well, the integrity of the well, groundwater protection and closure requirements. DEP permits govern how the hole is drilled and surface issues on the well pad.
EPA issued an underground injection control permit for Sammy-Mar’s Povlik No. 1 well on March 16, allowing the company to inject waste water into the well pending DEP approval of a drilling permit.
On May 10 Sammy-Mar submitted an application to drill the well to DEP. A copy of the application is available for review at the Huston Township Municipal Building, 11837 Bennetts Valley Hwy., Penfield, PA 15849.
The public hearing is part of the DEP’s intensive permit review process. People who wish to testify should register in advance by calling DEP Community Relations Coordinator John Poister at 412-442-4203 before 12 p.m. June 28.
There will also be an opportunity to register at the door prior to the hearing. Registered participants will have five minutes each to present testimony in the form of comments, statements or questions. DEP will respond to all testimony in a written comment and response document.
For those unable to attend the hearing, written testimony will be accepted by DEP at its Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 until July 5. Written testimony may be mailed or e-mailed.
For more information, visit www.dep.pa.gov.