WV Driller to Pay $177K for Wetlands Damage
Associated Press
29 November 2012
CLARKSBURG (AP) — A natural gas driller will pay $177,500 to
settle charges it disturbed wetlands and streams while building
well pads and pipelines in Harrison County.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced the terms of an
administrative consent order with PDC Mountaineer of Bridgeport on
Thursday. It requires the company to restore wetlands and complete
mitigation projects at four sites associated with the D'Annunzio
and Hudkins well pads.
PDCM does not admit any wrongdoing.
EPA says the driller failed to obtain federal permits required to
disturb or fill wetlands and streams. Further investigation found
it had committed other violations while building two pipelines.
In all, EPA says some 1,500 feet of stream were permanently
affected, while some 3,000 feet were temporarily damaged.
The wetlands and streams ultimately flow into the West Fork River.