Fish kill update planned for Dec. 3


Washington, PA Observer-Reporter
5 November 2009
By Bob Niedbala, Staff writer
niedbala@observer-reporter.com

WAYNESBURG - A meeting is being planned to provide the public with an update on the investigation of the Dunkard Creek fish kill and to discuss the increase in natural gas well drilling and its impacts.

The meeting is being organized by the Greene County Conservation District and the Upper Monongahela River Association, said Robbie Matesic, director of the Greene County Department of Development.

The meeting has been scheduled for Dec. 3 at a time to be announced and will be held in Mt. Morris Gospel Tabernacle, which has room to hold about 200 people.

"We anticipate a lot of interest," Matesic said.

State and federal agencies involved in the investigation into the fish kill are being invited to attend the meeting to provide the public with an update on their work and to explain what will happen next, Matesic said.

The fish kill was first reported at the beginning of September. It eventually killed fish and other aquatic life in about a 30-mile section of the stream.

Investigators have determined a toxic bloom of golden algae may have led to the kill. They also said high levels of total dissolved solids, including sulfates and chlorides, possibly originating from Blacksville No. 2 mine discharge, created the conditions for the algae bloom.

Spokesmen for the Pennsylvania and the West Virginia departments of environmental protection and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission could not be reached Wednesday to comment on their investigations.

Matesic said the meeting also will focus on the status of Marcellus Shale gas drilling and the treatment of drilling wastewater.

Some of the questions that might be raised include how much water is being withdrawn from area streams for drilling and whether enough plants exist to treat the wastewater, she said.

They also may address funding sources for construction of treatment plants. Matesic noted the industry is going to grow and will create jobs for the area and it is important that it be done responsibly.

Agencies that will be invited to the meeting include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Fish and Boat Commission and the West Virginia Departments of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.