DUBOIS – Nature Abounds, a locally-based national non-profit organization, has applied for $250,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
If approved, the funds will be used to establish baseline water quality data for approximately 100 private water supplies in the Highland Street Extension area in Brady and Sandy townships.
“The residents and private water supplies in the Highland Street Extension area are under the gun right now,” stated Melinda Hughes-Wert, president of Nature Abounds.
“In addition to the proposed commercial injection well, which would dispose of toxic liquids produced in association from natural gas drilling, they’ve also been told by a large natural gas drilling company that they plan to also put two to three unconventional drilling wells in the neighborhood within the next few years.
“Of course, we have to remember that there are also abandoned coal mines in the area as well. Put it altogether . . . with one little mistake, the water supplies in this area could be in significant jeopardy.”
Nature Abounds application was submitted to the DCED with the support of four municipal governing boards: the Clearfield County Commissioners, Brady and Sandy township and DuBois City officials.
The commissioners stated, “We feel that recording the water quality of residential wells in this area will be key to determining any future impacts to ground water supplies in the event the federal Environmental Protection Agency issues a permit to allow the injection well proposed by Windfall Oil and Gas to be constructed on the Zelman property.
“Additionally, the baseline numbers will establish water quality numbers before any other drilling activities commence in the same area.”
The board of the DCED will meet in mid-November to make its decisions so far as the funding. If the Nature Abounds application is approved, Hughes-Wert hopes to start the project in early 2014. In addition to the Nature Abounds Mahaffey Laboratory of Curwensville, the BF Environmental
Consultants and Carbon County Groundwater Guardians will also assist with the project.
More information about Nature Abounds can be found online at www.natureabounds.org or by calling 814-765-1453. Nature Abounds is based in DuBois.
