TRR photo by Sandy Long PennDOT’s former Shohola stockpile has undergone cleanup activities since June 2007, which yielded oil-impacted soil, paint drums with partially hardened paint in some, 150 crushed empty drums and five drums filled with liquid asphalt, scrap metal, tire chains, guiderail, culvert pipes, broken snow plow blades, wooden guiderail posts, wood debris, mounds of mulch, 1,000 tons of asphalt, 11 tons of asphalt tar blocks, refrigerators, stoves, stumps, road signs, construction debris, steel cables, utility poles, a backpack-style herbicide tank sprayer, several hundred tires and household trash such as bottles, cans and toys.

EPA test results received

Shohola stockpile still contaminated

By SANDY LONG

SHOHOLA and LACKAWAXEN TOWNSHIPS, PA—At its surface, PennDOT’s former Shohola stockpile #6 on Route 6 appears to be free of the many forms of debris and contaminants previously stored there. But underneath the freshly-seeded facade lurks lingering evidence of 40 years of dumping.

According to recent results of soil and water testing performed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2008, a variety of chemicals remain at the site.

Allegations that the herbicide and defoliant Agent Orange was buried there were not corroborated in the EPA findings. In its recently released findings, EPA contractor Tetra Tech EM, Inc., reports that, “No herbicides were detected in any sample.”

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PPL’s ABCs

Power company seeks feedback on proposed power line routes

By SANDY LONG

PIKE AND WAYNE COUNTIES, PA—“Now we know our ABC’s. Tell us what you think of these.” The classic nursery rhyme could serve as PPL’s slogan when it comes to selecting the route for its new 500-kilovolt power transmission line.

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Highland stalls ‘gas rush’—for now

Board approves moratorium; supervisor seeks to rescind stipend

By SANDY LONG

ELDRED, NY—The Town of Highland voted unanimously to approve a six-month moratorium on new oil and natural gas extraction activities following a public hearing on June 24. A lengthy public comment period brought remarks from supporters and detractors, and raised additional questions.

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Other stories in this issue:

• Delaware board steamed about burning ban
• ‘Art’ finds a place to rest
• Quarantine for firewood
• Sullivan group completes second home
• Fewer beds, smaller jail
• A picture of regional growth
• Narrowsburg farmers market opens for business
• NY gas drilling law passed

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S