DEP Will More Closely Monitor Drilling Near Streams

State environmental regulators have agreed to take a closer look at natural gas drilling permits issued for well sites in close proximity to high-quality waterways. Nearly 70 percent of Potter County’s streams are classified as “high quality” or “exceptional value” by the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP). DEP is now requiring a more thorough permit application review if there’s the potential of polluting a high-quality waterway, or if construction is on a flood plain or a contaminated site.

In 2008, DEP adopted an expedited permit review process exclusive to natural gas drilling activities in the Marcellus Shale region. The following year, DEP went one step further in streamlining its process by revoking the authority of county conservation districts for review and approval of these permits, instead turning the authority directly to DEP staff.