TRR photo by Sandy Long The Delaware River is one of the waterways that could eventually receive discharges of treated industrial wastewater produced during natural gas extraction in the Upper Delaware River region. It is currently called upon to assimilate various discharges from multiple permitted sources such as sewage treatment plants, as well as non-point source contaminants like fertilizers, pesticides and sedimentation.

Wastewater woes

Will DEP’s new Permitting Strategy protect PA waters and health?

By SANDY LONG

UPPER DELAWARE REGION—In response to the increased threat to Pennsylvania’s waterways from polluted wastewater generated during natural gas drilling, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has developed new discharge standards that will take effect by January 2011. Meanwhile, an interim “Permitting Strategy” is being implemented in a “rethinking of historic practices,” according to the DEP.

The news was announced by acting secretary John Hanger at a public meeting of the Marcellus Shale Wastewater Technology Partnership, comprised of DEP and gas industry professionals.

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Bethel zoning battle

Smallwood golf course is ground zero

By FRITZ MAYER

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY—The lawyer for the developer told the Bethel town board during its April 15 meeting that the zoning changes it had been working on for two years were seriously flawed. He said that the board had bought into the “fallacy” that large lots would protect the town’s environmental resources and rural character, when actually they would do the opposite.

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‘Teabaggers’ bemoan

bail-outs and stimulus packages

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA —About 300 spirited people with tea bags sewn on their hats or on their clothing gathered in Central Park at noon on April 15, Tax Day, and called it a “Tax Day Tea Party.” Describing the event as part of a grassroots movement that was occurring all across the nation, it harkened back to the Boston Tea Party. The day was promoted by Fox News and several conservative radio hosts for several weeks.

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Other stories in this issue:

• Gas well switch
• Pond Eddy Bridge to be replaced
• Renaissance blooms despite hard times
• Tax relief unconstitutional?
• New town hall to open

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