Laurel Lake Creek Mud Inadvertent Return: Update

Laser Pipeline drilling polluted Laurel Lake Creek, and this is their present resolution plan to stop the mud from further leaking into the creek. The Pipeline is presently stopped from drilling by DEP and waits new plans and approval from DEP to resume drilling. filmed 8-14-11

This unfortunate accident- actually 4 mud blowouts- in Laurel Lake Creek, Susquehanna County, PA, is just another example of what can happen in the gas drilling industry. The pipeline company has admitted that it is surprised. It is not familiar enough with the geology of PA. But that doesn't stop them from going right ahead and trampling all over the place, taking risks with an exceptional value creek.

Laurel Lake Creek Update: Another "Inadvertent Return" of Mud (PA)

A very sad situation gets worse. Another inadvertent return (mud blowout) in Laurel Lake Creek, Susquehanna County, PA. This pristine stream is supposedly protected by the PA DEP as an exceptional value stream. Such a designation means that it is protected more than other streams. So much for that plan. If you watch the men standing in the stream, trying to "fix" this mess, does it strike you that they seem to just be randomly throwing what look like sandbags haphazardly as if they have no clue what to do. Are they just trying to act busy and look like they are doing something beneficial? To me it looks like a lost cause. From crystal clear water to thick coffee. News is that there have been three mud blowouts in the last week or so in this creek. Drilling stops, then resumes, and then another blowout. Isn't there a definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Here is Part Two of the video taken by a resident of the area on Monday, August 8th. You can see the mud coming up in the creek.

This just in from Vera, reporter from Susquehanna County (August 10th):

[The mud is] still leaking and being pumped out;

day 13 --first happened July 29th. The ban on drilling still on for that section--it's coming out of different spot in the creekbed; about 10 feet from the other spot-- our geology is a challenge for them--

thanks, to the Gaia Earth-- Be a challenge-

WHERE WILL WE GO AFTER OUR PLANET IS UNINHABITABLE?

Third Spill At Pipeline Muddies Susquehanna County Creek (PA)

This is very sad news. Three mud spills in just a few days. No small matter to ruin a creek deemed exceptional value.  But this kind of thing will continue in all probability because the pipeline industry cannot know that something is wrong before it happens.  Or maybe they can know, but they will continue to drill and install pipelines anyway.  A little collateral damage is okay, right?

Read more here. (Laura Legere, writer)

And here. (Marcellus Drilling News)

Laurel Lake Creek Mud Spill: Susquehanna County, PA

An eyewitness covering this accident continues her report:  "Next day , I went to see more clean-up activity than ever and more mud oozing out and two containment pits-- and it's spreading over a 1/2 mile to the next creek-- they can't stop it so far-- it's powerful mud and a lot a pressure under the earth pushing this out-- the creek is all brown and muddy and it was pristine clear-- what a sad sight--"

A PRISTINE WATERWAY IS RUINED

GAS DRILLING IS HAZARDOUS TO OUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF OUR PRECIOUS ENVIRONMENT

Mud Blowout in Exceptional Value Watershed: Susquehanna County, PA

Laser Pipeline mud and bentonite blow out into exceptional-valued Laurel Lake Creek, Silver Lake Township, Susquehanna County, Pa. Videotaped 8-1-11. Rockford company drilling and drill bit came out into creek spilling the mud. Company pumped and contained the spill into a containment pond but it's still seeping downstream into the creek as we witnessed. DEP has been there and investigating. The latest impact on our delicate environment.

To read the Pennsylvania Code for High Quality or Exceptional Value Waters, click HERE.  This accident has impacted a body of water designated as exceptional value.

(Click on map to enlarge.)

From the DEP website:

The highest quality streams are rated as ‘EV’ and DEP testing must show a high biotic integrity and health with test data from over a year period to obtain this rank. EV streams include all streams that flow through state natural areas, or federally protected wilderness areas, other waters that receive a score of 92% biotic integrity ranking, and wilderness trout streams. Once a stream has been defined in such a way, the stream is protected in that DEP regulation does not permit uses along the stream that would lead to any degradation of the stream quality. The ‘HQ’ streams are the next level of quality (slightly degraded) and must show a macro-invertebrate community score of 83% or better, or be a state designated class A trout stream. HQ streams are defined as still sustaining cold water fisheries. The EV streams are mostly found in undeveloped areas of a watershed and represent, perhaps, some of the more pristine streams remaining in the state. One road block in this designation system is the number of streams that are untested or evaluated. Evaluations are usually made by DEP staff although the public can petition for a review. Because of staff limitations, many streams remain unevaluated.

IS THERE A SAFE WAY TO DRILL?

CAN A MESS LIKE THIS BE REVERSED?