Members of the Potter County Water Quality Work Group invited two
representatives of JKLM Energy to attend their Feb. 11 meeting for discussion of
recent Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) citations of JKLM for
violation of regulations related to waste water handling at shale gas wells.
Scott Blauvelt, the company’s director of regulatory affairs, and environmental
compliance consultant Terra Tokarz from WhipperHill Compliance LLC, presented an
overview of Pennsylvania’s regulatory framework. They explained the
circumstances that resulted in fines for spills of small volumes of water with
heavy salt concentrations at well pads, and the subsequent clean-up. Blauvelt
shared with members that JKLM Energy, which operates solely in Potter County, is
projected to be the state’s leading producer of Utica Shale natural gas by late
2019.
Also at the Feb. 11 meeting, an update was presented on a number of
grant-funded initiatives. Potter County Conservation District has been awarded a
$40,000 grant for fish habitat projects in the county, Application deadline is
March 1 for proposed Potter County Dirt, Gravel and Low-Volume Road projects.
DEP Environmental Mini-Grant requests have been submitted for a Stream Table and
Water Education Day. Dominion Energy mini-grants have been approved for local
watershed associations’ educational outreach and/or small-action projects.
Funding remains available from the Pa. Assn. of Conservation Districts for
establishment of riparian buffers to protect water quality.
In other matters, Charlie Tuttle, chair of the Triple Divide Watershed
Coalition, reported that she is working with the Pa. Rural Water Assn. to bring
a video-delivered water system operator certification training course to Potter
County. Darrell Davis, Genesee Headwaters Watershed Assn., announced that the
canoe launch in the community park is in need of minor repairs that will be made
in the coming weeks. Davis also announced that GHWA is sponsoring a program on
the early settlers of the region at 7 pm on March 19 at the Genesee United
Methodist Church. Kathy Mitchell, First Fork Watershed Assn., reported that the
organization recently met and decided on an active agenda for 2019.
Also, Potter County Planning Director Will Hunt discussed the public input
process that continues as a key element in drafting the Northern Pennsylvania
Tri-County Comprehensive Plan (Potter, McKean and Cameron counties). Next
Steering Committee meeting will be held on March 1 and a date for the
three-county public meeting will be announced in the near future
DEP is accepting public comments until March 1 on a new agricultural erosion
plan manual that is being developed. Lycoming County is seeking projects to
engage GIS students in field work to benefit public agencies or non-profit
organizations. Justin Boatwright, Pa. Fish & Boat Commission waterways
patrol officer, has been transferred to Clinton County. Chad Lauer, WCO in Tioga
County, will cover Potter County until a successor is assigned.
Water Quality Work Group Chairman Jason Childs announced that the next
meeting will be held at 8:30 am Monday, April 15.
